FIA to inspect Indian GP track on September 1

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) will inspect the Formula One Indian Grand Prix race track on September 1.

The organisers Jaypee Sports International (JPSI) claim that work is in full swing and the track will be completed by the second week of September for the inaugural race scheduled for Oct 28-30.

The FIA team led by race director Charlie Whiting will have to clear the 5.14 km Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida after the inspection, for the race to happen.

The homologation was earlier expected to take place in the first week of August but the FIA, organisers JPSI and the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) agreed to have it done in September.

FMSCI president Vicky Chandhok said the FIA team will first visit the circuit for Korean Grand Prix and then come to India. The race in Korea (Oct 14-16) will take place two weeks before the Indian GP.

"The FIA have decided to go with the September date. Mr. Whiting and his team will first visit the Korea circuit in Yeongam and then head to India via Europe," Chandhok, who is here to oversee the race preparations, told IANS.

The work at the circuit is still in progress with a little over two months left for the country's biggest event since the Commonwealth Games last year.

While Chandhok was quick to deny that homologation was moved to September due to the pending work around the circuit, a source in JPSI told IANS the FIA changed the date as they wanted to inspect the track in dry weather.

"There are finishing touches to be given to the track and the FIA people wanted to visit the area in dry weather. So, we jointly went with a later date (Sep 1)," the source said.

The JPSI official claimed that the all the work around the circuit will be completed by the second week of next month.

"The track should be done by the first week (September) and the infrastructural work including the pit building, team building, grandstands and temporary spectator stands will be completed by the second week."

Chandhok maintained that the work is on full swing and there is no need to panic.

"The track is complete, the tarmac has been laid. Now, it is only the weathering coat on the tarmac that is left and we plan to do that by Sep 15. The coat is recommended for the closest date to the race. The other infrastructural work is also going on but there is no need for any panic."

The BIC will cost approximately $400 million to the organisers.