Top Indian GP organiser quits
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Jan. 24: One of the chief organisers of the inaugural Indian Grand Prix has resigned barely nine months before the country hosts the Formula One race, the promoters said on Monday. Mark Hughes, a former number two at the Bahrain circuit, who was a key figure in building the Indian facility over the past 12 months, left his post a month ago “due to personal reasons”, the promoters said. “Mark Hughes is no longer working with us. He left due to his own personal reasons,” Sameer Kumar, a spokesman for the promoters, the Jaypee group said.
Kumar did not elaborate on the departure of Hughes, vice-president of operations, but said operations at the circuit were now being handled by Azhar Rahman, a former race organiser in Sepang, Malaysia. India is due to hold the race on October 30 at a $350 million 5.14-kilometre (3.2-mile) circuit designed by renowned German architect Hermann Tilke in Greater Noida on the outskirts of New Delhi.
Hughes confirmed the development, saying that was now working with the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. “Whilst I am no longer based in India and I am working for the circuit in Abu Dhabi, I am still closely associated with Jaypee and am still advising them on the upcoming Indian Grand Prix,” he said.
The promoters were confident of holding a successful race despite Hughes's departure. “Work on the track is now going on at full swing. We have about 6,000 people working on the circuit,” said Kumar. “Homologation (approval by F1 officials) of the circuit is expected to happen by July-August. All trackside infrastructure will also be completed well in time.”
Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone inspected the circuit site in October and dismissed concerns that preparations for the race could mirror the chaotic build-up to the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. “Everything was much better than what I thought,” he had said.
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