Mallya: India on target for 2010 GP

Force India owner Vijay Mallya says his home country is on target to host its first Formula 1 grand prix in 2010, with construction of a new circuit due to begin in October this year.

Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi announced last September that his organization had signed a 10-year contract with Bernie Ecclestone’s Formula One Management company and that FOM had approved two prospective sites for a circuit on the outskirts of capital city New Delhi.

Mallya told a news conference at the German Grand Prix on Friday that the venue has now been chosen and construction of the circuit will begin within the next three months.

“In fact the news is quite positive," said the beer and aviation magnate, who is also chairman of the Motorsports Association of India.

“I happened to be having lunch with the CEO of one of India’s biggest banks and he confirmed to me that they had sanctioned a facility to the developer of the Indian track.

“He has actually bought the land and on October 1 construction of a brand new track will begin.

“And so for the first time, now I think I feel very confident to be able to say to you that there will be a brand new track and that we will have our first grand prix in 2010.

“It’s just outside New Delhi."