No Formula One invite for Ajay Maken: Sources

Sports Minister Ajay Maken has not been invited to the ongoing Indian Formula One.

According to sources, Maken was not invited because the sports ministry had earlier denied excise and customs exemptions on the logic that F1 was an elite sport. It is learnt that an exemption to the tune of Rs 600 crore had been asked for and was denied.

Maken on Saturday, while the final practice session was taking place at the Buddh International Circuit, tweeted: When F1 is flagged off; as Sports Min I am laying foundation stone for 5cr synthetic track at P.T.Usha's academy in Koyilandi near Calicut.