Work on the Buddh Indian F1 Grand Prix Circuit is progressing at a feverish pace even as the inaugural Indian F1 Grand Prix is all set to take place in October this year. Out of the blue, we have word surfacing about a proposed Formula1 track in Mumbai. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has shortlisted two consortiums, for building the F1 track somewhere in and around the suburbs of Mumbai. Here’s official word on this matter from MSRDC Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Bipin Shrimali.
But the big question remains, will an F1 track in India, the second one after the Buddh Indian F1 circuit actually work and be profitable? Since the Maharashtra government is putting it’s weight behind, and hence tax payers’ money into the project, this is a critical question that needs examination. Motorsport in India is still a fledgling compared to the likes of other sports like Cricket and even hockey or football. In such a scenario, expecting the FIA to grant India another F1 race in the already crowded F1 calendar looks merely like a pipe dream.
So, the circuit hosting an F1 race in the near future isn’t something we’re betting on. But what the F1 track could instead do is, it could open up a wide range of possibilities for development of motorsport in the western part of the country. For decades, motorsport enthusiasts living in Western India have not had access to a race track. The only option for them were the tracks down south, off Chennai and Coimbatore, with the other of course the Indian GP circuit coming up near Delhi. Traveling long distances made accessing these tracks impractical for most.
So, while the proposed F1 Circuit off Mumbai might not be a bright idea to hold an F1 race, it could very well be a terrific bet to encourage motorsport of other forms in the western part of India. Thus we’re hoping that a race track does come up near Mumbai, as envisaged by the MSRDC. Even in the past, there has been talk about an F1 circuit near Mumbai, only to remain a non starter due to multifarious reasons ranging from feasibility issues to land acquisition problems. Will it be any different this time? That, only time can tell. Watch this space.