The FIA’s technical delegate, Charlie Whiting, has postponed his final inspection of the Indian Grand Prix circuit which had been expected to take place this month.
The new visit, to homologate the track and declare it fit for Formula 1, will now take place on September 1st, 60-days prior to the country’s inaugural event taking place. This is 30-days less than the self-imposed 90-day target.
Vicky Chandhok, president of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), has denied the delay is down to the fact that the track isn’t in a fit state to be inspected, as was the case with Korea which also had a delayed inspection.
“We have been sending reports to the FIA on fortnightly basis and they are completely satisfied with the progress,” he told The Asian Age.
“The final inspection was scheduled for the first week of August and the track was ready for it. But FIA’s technical director Charlie Whiting confirmed that he will be coming to New Delhi only on August 31.”
Chandhok confirmed that the track is nearing completion with the final layer of asphalt going down toward the end of September.
“The basic track is ready with kerbs and tecpro barriers in place. The FIA-appointed German consultants who are camped at the track advised the promoters to lay the final layer some 45 days before the event. After that, as a dry run, a round of the JK Tyre National Racing Championship will be held to check the operation of the track.”
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