06/08/2011
NEWS STORY
Vicky Chandhok, president of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India, has admitted that he is unhappy with the proposal to host the country's 2012 event in April.
In the calendar issued by the FIA at the beginning of June, the 2012 Indian Grand Prix was scheduled for October 28. However, in a revised calendar being touted by Bernie Ecclestone, the race has been shifted to April 22.
"I am not happy with April because it's going to be hot," Chandhok told Reuters. "But if we have to go in April we will go. But I really think that the ideal dates for India are when it's cooler. Maybe March or you go to October, November, December.
"In Delhi there is no humidity, it's not that high. You are racing in Malaysia where the humidity is higher," Chandhok, father of Lotus driver Karun, said with a grin."
Earlier this week, Chandhok revealed that the FIA has postponed its final inspection of the Buddh circuit until September 1, however, he insists that the decision is purely for reasons of logistics.
"(It's for) purely administrative reasons," he said. "Track advisor Charlie Whiting, who has been here three-four times, asked us 'doesn't it make logical sense for me to combine it with Korea?' He is visiting Korea at the end of this month. On his way back he is flying over Delhi. So he will stop over at Delhi as it will make logical sense for the FIA. We said we are fine with it. It's purely procedural and a matter of convenience for the date of inspection. Nothing else."
Looking ahead to this year's inaugural event, Chandhok could barely contain his excitement. "I have been to every single racetrack in the world," he said. "It's going to be one of the fastest circuits in the world.
"A 1.2 km straight and three corners that have now been redefined. They are following the new FIA guidelines to encourage overtaking. I think it's going to be phenomenal. There will be lot of scope of overtaking."