As a combination, we’ve got it spot on: Indian GP track consultant

Vicky Chandhok, who is the consultant for Indian GP track, tells Rajesh Pansare that drivers will enjoy the mix of long stretches, elevations and corners.

How different will the Indian Grand Prix track be compared to the rest of them on the Formula One calendar?  
FIA has been doing a study to encourage overtaking and to make races better from spectators’ and racing viewpoints. So, they actually simulated and arrived at a new corner design, which will encourage overtaking. Indian GP track will be the first one to adhere to the new specifications given by the FIA. Even though the track design was fixed quite early, changes were made to three corners and they were made wider. The corners, the elevation changes and long stretch of 1.2kms (between corners 3 and 4) is going to make it more exciting. The track will have a mixture of high speeds, medium speeds and slow speed corners. It’s very rare to have a combination of all these in one circuit.

Can we see the cars going faster?
Yes, for sure. And drivers will enjoy racing on it, especially in the corners. For example: The three corners which have been changed will have short entry but the exit is wider, which will help cars come out of corners at much higher speeds. So, it will encourage a driver to tuck in to the car ahead as you enter the corner and make a move at the exit.

What was FIA race director Charlie Whiting’s reaction on his last visit (it was on September 1 the track was given a green signal) to the track?
I’ve been to all of Charlie’s visits from day one. I’ve been working very closely with him on the whole track. When he was at the circuit at the start of the month, he was so pleased. He said, ‘Vicky, this has exceeded my expectation’. He expected a lot more panic, tension. One important statement he made to me was ‘Sameer Gaur (MD, JPSI) and his team when they say something, they get it done’. It showed how impressed Charlie was with the whole preparation.
 
Recent tracks designed by Hermann Tilke (who has also designed the Indian GP track) have been criticised for being monotonous and not spectator friendly. 
We can point a finger at Tilke. Then, when you take look at Monaco and Canada, how different are all those then? Fact of the matter remains that speeds are so high in the corners nowadays and the grip of the cars have become so phenomenal that passing a car in front of you has become very difficult. DRS has been brought in to make it more exciting. The biggest advantage of Indian GP track is that from any spectator stand, they will have lot more viewing compared to other tracks designed by Tilke. Sameer was very clear from day one that he wanted a lot of spectator viewing. From a spectator’s perspective it’s fantastic.

Which part of the circuit do you like the most?
I love the elevations at various points and it has made it very special. I think as a combination, amongst all the new tracks in the world, we’ve got it spot on. As far as drivers are concerned, they will like three renovated corners and the approach coming into the start-finish stretch.
 
How are the preparations going on?
The track is complete. The grandstand seats are being fitted and it will be done shortly. The rest of it, I’m not involved with but from what I’m seeing with such a hype of activity going on and attention to detailing, is very exciting to see.
 
Did the involvement of a private
entity help?
Certainly, Jaypee Sports International Ltd has gone about building it as a business model. You look at the state of government-owned facilities nationwide. It’s not really good. It’s like no one is answerable to anyone. In a private entity, it is run as a commercial business with a single boss. The boss calls the shots. He demands certain level of excellence and that is done. And decision making is also done in micro-seconds, which has helped in completing the work at a faster rate.  
 
How will it boost motorsports in India?
I’m hoping that everyone, who is involved in motorsports in India, uses this opportunity. Motrosports is growing at such a rapid speed world over that the organisers and officials need to invest upon themselves in terms of knowledge. They needed to step out earlier to see how events are run overseas and only then plan their own way. This is now giving them an opportunity to see it within India. We need to capitalise and expand on the pinnacle of motorpsorts that has come to India. Competitors and events need far better facilities than they have been given in the past. Organisers should also step-up. Age-old way of thinking should stop now. Even our national championships — four-wheeler or two-wheeler — need to provide better facilities.