The Indian Grand Prix is not one of the most spectacular races on the Formula One calendar. Buddh International Circuit lacks Marina Bay street circuit’s grandeur or Suzuka’s driving pleasure. Indian GP may not be the most boring of the races, but it is far from the most anticipated. There being hundreds of tracks worldwide at Bernie Ecclestone’s disposal and three new venues vying for a spot on the 2014 calendar, he will have little trouble finding a replacement. The truth is no one but Indians would truly miss the Indian GP if removed.
Formula One (and Motorsports in general) is a very misunderstood sport. Most look at it as “just driving around” and fail to realize that they are oversimplifying the sport and that there is more to it than just driving around. For that reason, they fail to acknowledge it as a proper sport, generally looking at it as entertainment. Whether they acknowledge it as a sport, they must not overlook the fact that the rest of the world regards it as a sport, and they shower it with money. Formula One, being the premier motorsport, is one of the most expensive sports in the world. Building , maintaining a track and hosting a race is extremely financially burdening with FIA charging millions just to host a race. This year, Ecclestone waived the hosting fees for the Nurburgring. The Shanghai circuit, which hosted its first race in 2004, cost an estimated $450m, with the owners hoping to break even by 2014.
With most races hosted by the nation and not by private concerns, the financial burden as well as the even larger profits, goes to the government. Buddh is one in only three tracks this year which is privately owned (Suzuka and Silverstone being the others).Given the issues faced by the teams and organisers, even if the Indian GP stays on the calendar till 2015, it will be hard-pressed to find a slot in 2016.
The teams and organisers have faced a multitude of problems from excessive tax to delays in granting visas. Since the government views Formula One as ‘entertainment’, entertainment tax is levied. Last year, Nico Rosberg of Mercedes struggled to get his visa approved on time. Bernie Ecclestone is not one to prioritise politics, the problems faced by the teams will damage India's chances of hosting the race in the future; especially when there are several countries waiting patiently in line for their chance to play host.
There is also talk of Ecclestone wanting the Asian tracks together at the start of the season. This means the Indian GP will get pushed from October to March or April. This means after hosting the race in October 2013, the organisers will have to get the track ready by March 2014 for the next race. This may be too expensive as far as cost and resources are concerned to execute. Bernie may in fact be hinting that in order to put his plan into action, he is going to skip India in 2014 to allow the organisers to get the track ready for the race in March 2015.
Whatever the reason behind Bernie’s statement that Indian GP in 2014 may not happen is, what we should really be worried about is if India will host a race in 2016. Given the way things are going, the chances are grim.