Tickets for the inaugural Airtel Indian Grand Prix are now officially on sale. Prices will start from Rs 2500 and will go up to Rs 35,000. The Buddh International Circuit (BIC) has a total capacity of about 110,000 spectators and the ticket slabs will ensure entry for students as well as corporate entities.
Weekend tickets for the main grand stand (west zone) will cost Rs 35,000. If you don’t mind watching the drivers battle it out on the 16-corner, 5.14km track from an open stand, then you should opt for the general admission ticket (south zone) which is priced at Rs 2500. The south stand tickets for the race weekend will cost Rs 2500 and can go up to Rs 12,500 for premium seats.
For F1 enthusiasts, it’s the north and west stands where the real action is going to be, and these stands are priced in the range of Rs 6000-8500,for the three-day race weekend. These stands come with proper seats and TV screens. Only the picnic stands in the north and south zones come without any seats.
The race promises to be an exciting one with many twists to spice up the action. Narain Karthikeyan said “There are 4 or 5 spots for overtaking and 3 corners large enough for 4 cars to run alongside .There are also some interesting elevations and cambered corners. I am looking forward to driving in the race."
Work on the circuit is ongoing and is reported to be on schedule, with the track expected to open soon. Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is convinced that the new Buddh International Circuit will be ready in time for the race on October 30. "I have no doubt in my mind that the circuit is going to be one of the nicest we have and that it's going to be completed on time," said Ecclestone. "We are constantly checking every detail on a daily basis. We are happy that everything is going as per schedule and there are no problems," he added.
Karun Chandhok having driven around the track had a tip for spectators "best seats will be around corner 4, 11 and 12 that's where the fun is.”
Sameer Gaur MD & CEO, JPIL, said building the grandstand was one of the biggest challenges they faced as it was one of the largest in the world with a seating capacity of 20,000.
Tickets can be booked online on jaypeesports.com or bookmyshow.com and will later be sold through cafe coffee day outlets. Parking passes are available at Rs 1500 or you get one free with every 3 tickets bought. Bus services have also been contracted from all Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida for which tickets are available too.
With September 1 set as the date for homologation, Gaur says end of September is when the track will be unveiled once all the work is complete. The hype for the Indian GP has just begun!