18/08/2011
NEWS STORY
As the organizers of the inaugural Indian Grand Prix reveal the event's title sponsor, Bernie Ecclestone warns that they must work hard to promote the race.
Ecclestone was speaking as Indian telecomms giant Airtel - which operates in nineteen countries across South Asia, Africa and the Channel Islands (?) - was unveiled as the event's title sponsor.
"F1 is new to India," said the F1 supremo according to the Deccan Herald. "It would take efforts to generate interest. We will never catch cricket but we can get close.. perhaps with extra effort.
"It will be one of the nicest circuits and will complete in time," he added. "People are there, checking everything on daily basis. It will be in good shape."
When asked whether F1 needs India or India needs F1, Ecclestone said: "India is one of the top five countries, it's a major part of the world and we wanted a championship here. When I came here, I was pleased. Things will be fine. In the end we will do good things for India."
While some might point to the good things F1 has done for Turkey, China and Valencia, Ecclestone insists that thirty percent of the spectators at the race will come from abroad, especially Europe."