F1 stars set to compete in i1 Super Series

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The likes of two-time Formula One champion Mika Hakkinen and multiple Grand Prix winners Giancarlo Fisichella and Ralf Schumacher are set to battle it out with the cream of Indian talent in the i1 Supercar Championship across Asia from December.

The seven-round series, which will be flagged off at Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida on December 18, is a brainchild of Machdar Motorsports Pvt. Ltd. The series will feature nine franchisees in its inaugural year with each city fielding two cars.

Narain Karthikeyan, Karun Chandhok, Armaan Ebrahim and Parthiva Sureshwaren are likely to add local flavour, while Finland’s Heikki Kovalainen, Jarno Trulli and Vitantonio Liuzzi (both from Italy) are expected to bring in foreign firepower to the the championship, which will use UK’s famous sportscars — Radicals SR3.

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar will be involved with the series as advisor and brand ambassador. Yuvraj Singh has also evinced interest.

It was learnt that almost all the teams are in the final stages of completing the contract.

“The nine franchisees are being sold at a base price of $5 million and it is only by invitation. We will officially announce the list of owners along with our television partner in the coming weeks,” said Anjana Reddy, director of Machdar Motorsports.

Ms Reddy said the teams should have at least one Indian driver in their line-up. “The series will provide a platform for budding drivers. The format is designed to club young and upcoming racers with the best of international drivers, thus enabling the development of Indian talent,” she added.

The i1 series is scheduled to be held in the winter when other international championships go on a break. Apart from Buddh International Circuit, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Dubai, Malaysia and Thailand are the other venues.

The grand finale is slated for February 2012 either in Chennai or Greater Noida.

The promoters have already written to the Federation of Motorsports Clubs in India requesting to include the event on the international calendar of the world body (FIA).

The series provides a level-playing field with all the teams mandated to use identical Radical cars. It will ensure entertainment for fans.

“Drivers’ skill would be at the forefront. The car being used is an open top purpose-built sports car that can accelerate from zero to hundred in 3 seconds and touch speeds of 250 kmph. Drivers can experience up to 2.5 g force. The prototype of the car is expected to arrive by the end of this month,” said M. Darshan, the CEO of the i1 Super Series.

Each weekend would consist of one qualifying session and two races.

The drivers will be competing for the title and a total prize purse of $2 million.

Proposed calendar

1. New Delhi (December 18); 2. Abu Dhabi (January 8); 3. Doha (January 15); 4. Dubai (January 22); 5. Kuala Lumpur (February 5); 6. Pattaya (February 12); 7. Chennai or New Delhi (February 25).