F1 race may travel to India

Cologne:

Formula One race may now travel to India as Vijay Mallya's Kingfisher Airlines has tied up with Toyota in Cologne. The wait for F1 might just be till 2009 if Mallya is to be believed. The king of good times says the race could even be held at one of Delhi's most prime locations with the parliament and Rashtrapati Bhawan as the backdrop. "India's economy is booming. There's no reason why Formula One should not be in India. It will put India firmly on the world map. I have come up with a plan for racing on roads at Delhi, like the way it is in Monaco. I have spoken to Sheela Dixit," said Vijay Mallya, Chairman, UB Group. Huge infrastructure Getting Formula 1 to India would certainly not be easy. Besides big-time investments, it would require full-time lobbying with Central and state governments - particularly at a time when the country is grappling to cope up with poor infrastructure. It currently takes a minimum of $500 million to build F1 infrastructure. So, does Mallya foresee the speed breakers ahead before he turns Rajpath into a racing track? ''I proposed to Sheela Dixit if we could use Rajpath or the road in front of the Presidential palace as FI tracks, she was excited. We already spent money for the R-Day infrastructure. And that could possibly be extended to FI also," Mallya added. Formula 1 coming to India will mean much more for the economy than what meets the eye. Ferrari, Toyota, Mercedes, Jaguar all will descend with their top-of-the-line racing ensemble. "The way the country is growing, Formula one can not be kept out of India. We are looking at coming to India soon," said John Howett, President, Toyota Motorsport. It is still a long way to go but mention India and speedsters are already revved up.