The Airtel Indian Grand Prix is just two days away and the country is getting ready to join the race track bandwagon and celebrate the annual weekend of speed. In the buildup to the race, we spoke to Timo Glock from the Marussia F1 team and got a small preview of what we could expect. He had come to Mumbai during the Indian leg of the QNET Show Car World Tour.
Commenting that that the Indian Grand Prix was one of the newer and more exciting locations on the F1 calendar, Timo said that most of the teams would use a two-stop strategy for the race and expected it to be held in fully dry conditions. However, he did not reveal the stopping laps (a well-kept secret and a key to winning the race). He also revealed that turn three was his favourite due it being an extreme corner followed by a long straight.
Despite ruing the absence of KERS on their machines, the Marussia team is confident that it will be able to keep pace with nearest rivals Caterham, who incidentally it has overtaken in the constructors championship by virtue of Timo’s 12th place finish at the Singapore GP.
He said that the team was bringing no major updates for the car to the Indian Grand Prix. Commenting on the 2013 car, Timo said that it was currently being developed and was most likely to make a debut during the first testing session that will be held in February 2013.
The 2012 Indian Grand Prix will take place at the Buddh International Circuit located in Greater Noida and will run for 60 laps covering a distance of 307.249 km. The 2011 race saw Sebastian Vettel lead from start to finish. He was followed by Jenson Button in second place and Fernando Alonso in third.
Last year's event turned out to be quite successful in many ways. On the race day over 100,000 people were present and in December, the BIC won the 'circuit of the year' award from the FIA. With ticket prices starting at just Rs 2000 (race day only) and improved facilities compared to last year, we expect this year’s event will be just as successful.
In the run up to the race, we have answered some basic questions with regard to tickets; how to get there, guidelines and a whole lot more that you need to know before you head off for a weekend of speed.
Tickets
Tickets are still available for sale from Bookmyshow and at key locations in select metros.
Taxi Service
Radio cabs
- Meru Cabs 011 44224422 or at www.merucabs.com
- EasyCabs 011 43434343 or
- www.easycabs.com
Prepaid cabs can be hired from the following places:
- IGI Airport – New Delhi
- New Delhi Railway Station
- Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station
Payment needs to be made in advance at designated counters.
Private cabs
Travel agents and hotels can arrange private cabs, which charge according to distance travelled. Also, JPSI has tied up with WTI/WheelzIndia taxi service to carry Formula One fans from different parts of Delhi to the Buddh International Circuit. Click here for the rate chart and other details.
Rental cars
Carzonrent India offers rental cars that you can drive yourself. Visit www.carzonrent.com for details and for reservations, mail reservations@carzonrent.com. You can also call them on 0888 222 2222. All major credit/debit cards are accepted.
Bus services
There will be chartered bus services from Noida city centre metro station in Noida to the BIC bus malls. You are required to obtain bus passes to avail the service and can book bus passes if you have already purchased race tickets. Passes will entitle you to bus travel from Noida city centre metro station to the circuit and back.
Don’t carry the following to the track:
- Large hand bags, backpacks
- Tobacco products, lighters
- Outside food & beverages
- Glass/plastic containers, cans
- Professional cameras
- Firearms or inflammables
- Musical instruments, whistles
- Children below 5 years of age are not allowed inside the circuit
Guidelines
The gates will open at 9:30 am and the event is spread over three days from morning till evening.
Parents should ensure that children wear correct hearing protection due to extreme noise levels.
Parking
Parking eligibility: each ticket also entitles the holder to purchase a three-day car/ two wheeler parking permit at the Buddh International Circuit.
