22/01/2009
NEWS STORY
Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed that India will finally host a round of the Formula One World Championship in 2011.
In recent years there have been number of 'false starts', however, Ecclestone has today confirmed that India will "definitely" host a Grand Prix in two year's time.
Talking to the BBC Asian Network, Ecclestone said that he and Indian company Jaiprakash Associates Ltd are "fully committed" to the project.
"Of course we will deliver," he said, "otherwise we wouldn't have entered into an agreement."
Work on a new circuit on the outskirts of Delhi got underway late last year but was subsequently halted. Ecclestone claims that this was due to issues with the global sporting calendar and "certain contracts elsewhere to fulfil". Work on the circuit will now resume in the summer.
Narain Karthikeyan's drive for Jordan in 2005 helped raise F1's profile in India, then came the country's own team - Force India - albeit based in Silverstone.
However, at this time it is unlikely that there will be an Indian driver on the grid in 2011, certainly in a Force India car, team boss Vijay Mallya having voiced strong views about the lack of home grown talent on offer at this time.