Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed that there will be no Indian GP in 2014, but he insists that the race will return the following year.
Ecclestone wants to move the race to earlier in the season – in effect freeing up an October slot for the first Russian GP – but has agreed with promoter Jaypee that it would make no sense to have two races in six months.
There have been similar scenarios before after calendar shake-ups, for example with Malaysia being held in October 2000 and March 2001, and China in October 2008 and April 2009, but seemingly that won’t work for India.
“When we signed the five-year deal with Jaypee, we were keen on going to India in the first half and Jaypee wanted it to be in October,” Ecclestone told Indian news agency IANS. “We gave in at that time, but now it looks we will have the race early 2015.
“It was too close [races late 2013 and early 2014]. Therefore, after speaking to promoters, we think it is best not to have a race in 2014 and have one in 2015.”
He added: “We will have to club India with the four rounds in the Asia Pacific region.”
Regarding the tax problems facing the teams, he said: “There are issues that need to be sorted out in your country. I hope the organisers are able to deal with it at the earliest.”
Adam Cooper F1 