Subscribe to RSS

Troubled waters for F1 plans in India, US, Greece

It is not all plain sailing for hopeful formula one hosts in India, Greece and the United States.
Even though the Buddh circuit near New Delhi, scheduled to host its inaugural grand prix in October, is reportedly almost completed, there has been violence in the surrounding area resulting in some deaths.

Farmers in the villages around the circuit are angry about the land acquisition compensation offered to them by the government and have threatened to disrupt the race and its preparations.

The state government has therefore increased the security and police presence at the track, which must be completed for homologation by the FIA in July.

Villagers are also angry about access to a temple being blocked. “When all our pleas fell on deaf ears, we had no option but to seek court intervention,” said one village official.

“Hurting the religious sentiments can turn things ugly,” added village resident Sunder Singh, according to the Hindustan Times.

Responded track boss Sameer Gaur: “We are talking to the people concerned and are confident a solution would be found.”

There is also anger in Texas, where the state government is committing $25 million per year for a decade to support the scene of Austin’s 2012 US grand prix.

“The developers should find the money through private sources,” insisted republican senator Dan Patrick, according to Bloomberg.

And the Independence Party in Britain has condemned news that Greece is pushing ahead with a partly government-subsidised project for a F1 circuit.

Greece’s embattled economy received a EUR 110 billion European bailout, contributed to by British taxpayers.

Referring to the F1 plans, UKIP spokesman Winston McKenzie said: “We should not pay a brass penny to the bailout while this sort of irresponsible spending continues.”

0 comments

Other articlesgo to homepage

Backer says no doubts about 2012 Austin GP

Backer says no doubts about 2012 Austin GP(0)

The key backer of the scheduled 2012 US grand prix insists he remains committed to the Circuit of the Americas project. Construction in Austin, Texas, has continued amid raging local media speculation, as lawsuits are pending and questions are constantly asked about the viability of the project commenced by the now offside promoter Tavo Hellmund.

Student protests threaten 2012 Canada GP

Student protests threaten 2012 Canada GP(0)

Angry students could threaten next month’s Canadian grand prix. Protests in Montreal, regarding planned university tuition fee increases, have been turning increasingly ugly and even violent, involving the throwing of glass bottles and hundreds of arrests. According to the French language La Presse newspaper, at least one student association has specifically threatened to disrupt the

F1′s sixth winner shapes up for Monaco

F1′s sixth winner shapes up for Monaco(0)

F1′s next winner could be at the wheel of a black and gold car. “I think Kimi (Raikkonen) will be the sixth different winner in the sixth race,” said Finnish commentator and former driver Mika Salo, to the MTV3 broadcaster. Although the results in 2012 have proved impossible to predict so far, many paddock pundits

Spain, Spa, France, Canada and Russia – race rumours

Spain, Spa, France, Canada and Russia – race rumours(0)

Valencia will not be on next year’s F1 calendar, Bernie Ecclestone said on Saturday. He confirmed that, starting in 2013, an annually alternating deal between the Spanish port city and Barcelona will begin. Barcelona, the scene of this weekend’s Spanish grand prix, will host the race in 2013, before Valencia returns to the schedule in

Montreal must improve track or lose F1 race

Montreal must improve track or lose F1 race(0)

Montreal has been warned to spend around $15 million on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve or risk losing the Canadian grand prix. La Presse reports that Bernie Ecclestone has said only a major redevelopment of the circuit will lead to talks about a new contract beyond 2014. The report said that, in light of the F1

read more

Get This Plugin

Contacts and information

Social networks

Most popular categories

T-CREA
© 2011 Fantasy Racings F1 All rights reserved.