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Track lauded despite problems
Source: Agencies |
October 28, 2011, Friday
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Teething problems were evident at India's new Buddh International circuit as the drivers arrived yesterday but Formula One's main man declared himself satisfied.
"Super. The track is super," commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone said in the paddock as teams set up their garages and workmen busied themselves painting markings in the pit lane.
"They did everything we wanted them to do within, what, two or three years of reaching the agreement," continued the Briton. "It took Silverstone 25 years, so I think they've done very well."
A lack of clear signage outside the circuit caused some confusion while media centre staff battled an immediate power cut. Television reporters said they had suffered three separate outages in their compound by lunchtime.
A small bat, disturbed from its slumbers, flitted around above reporters heads in the press room before finally finding an exit and disappearing into the sunshine.
Some buildings remained clearly unfinished, with what was immediately dubbed a 'stairway to heaven' leading vertiginously up to a flat roof and a sheer and unprotected drop.
The overall appearance of the US$450 million facility, which will host India's first grand prix on Sunday, was nonetheless impressive even if lacking a particularly Indian flavor.
"I just walked in and it looks hugely impressive," retired triple world champion Jackie Stewart said as he arrived in the paddock. "From just driving in, the scale of it, it's extraordinary. I think it's wonderful and this is the new world. And they've done that like that," added the Scot, clicking his fingers.
"When we think of the old world, we can't do that. But it will still take two years to get it right. Just like it will take two years to get the new Silverstone complex right."
Vicky Chandhok, father of Team Lotus reserve driver Karun and head of the Indian Motorsports Federation, was pleased with how things were shaping up. "Let's be honest, it's like a new-born child. You've got to nurse it along," he said. "We've all got to accept there are a few shortcomings but at least the will to do it is there. That's the most important factor."
"Super. The track is super," commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone said in the paddock as teams set up their garages and workmen busied themselves painting markings in the pit lane.
"They did everything we wanted them to do within, what, two or three years of reaching the agreement," continued the Briton. "It took Silverstone 25 years, so I think they've done very well."
A lack of clear signage outside the circuit caused some confusion while media centre staff battled an immediate power cut. Television reporters said they had suffered three separate outages in their compound by lunchtime.
A small bat, disturbed from its slumbers, flitted around above reporters heads in the press room before finally finding an exit and disappearing into the sunshine.
Some buildings remained clearly unfinished, with what was immediately dubbed a 'stairway to heaven' leading vertiginously up to a flat roof and a sheer and unprotected drop.
The overall appearance of the US$450 million facility, which will host India's first grand prix on Sunday, was nonetheless impressive even if lacking a particularly Indian flavor.
"I just walked in and it looks hugely impressive," retired triple world champion Jackie Stewart said as he arrived in the paddock. "From just driving in, the scale of it, it's extraordinary. I think it's wonderful and this is the new world. And they've done that like that," added the Scot, clicking his fingers.
"When we think of the old world, we can't do that. But it will still take two years to get it right. Just like it will take two years to get the new Silverstone complex right."
Vicky Chandhok, father of Team Lotus reserve driver Karun and head of the Indian Motorsports Federation, was pleased with how things were shaping up. "Let's be honest, it's like a new-born child. You've got to nurse it along," he said. "We've all got to accept there are a few shortcomings but at least the will to do it is there. That's the most important factor."
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