The Indian Grand Prix is expected to return in 2016 as a 'fruitful' meeting between Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone and race promoters has prepared the ground for the comeback of the high-profile event.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the inaugural Russian Grand Prix in Sochi, last month.
The Indian Grand Prix was dropped from the 2014 calendar after three races, owing to tax and bureaucratic hurdles. The 2015 calendar has already been finalised and it is confirmed that the race won't return for next year.
The issues surrounding the Grand Prix remain but Ecclestone-led Formula One Management (FOM) and race promoters Jaypee Sports International (JPSI), headed by Sameer Gaur, first want to honour the five-year contract and then work on securing the long-term future of the event.
"We (Sameer and I) had a good meeting in Russia. I was assured that the tax and other related problems will be sorted out in due course and then we are good to go back. It is too late for 2015 now, so we are working on 2016," Ecclestone told PTI from his London office.
Gaur, on his part, said, "Formula One remains very important for us. Unfortunately, because of the circumstances, we could not do the race this year but I see the situation improving soon. The important thing is that we and FOM are on the same page. 2015 looks tough as the calendar is more or less final, so we should look at 2016 as the year for the race."
Only time will tell how Ecclestone accommodates India on the crowded F1 calendar. 2015 will see 20 races with the return of Mexico and the number could go up to a seemingly undoable 22 in 2016 if India and Azerbaijan both manage to host the F1 circus.
Unnatee Gidithuri
Dipan Sur
