The organisers of the Indian GP are confident they will return for the 2015 Formula One season, despite fears that the race on Sunday could be the final one on these shores for a while.
India will not be hosting an F1 race next year, but Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone had hinted the race at the Buddh International Circuit, set to host its third weekend from Friday, could return to the schedule in 2015.
Sameer Gaur, CEO of Jaypee Sports International Limited, insisted the race would return, despite a gap of a year, and refuted reports that India had missed out on 2014 due to "political reasons," rather blaming the loss on logistics.
"If the Indian GP is not being held in 2014 it is entirely for logistical reasons," Gaur was quoted as saying by AFP.
"They wanted us to hold the race in March, but it was not practical to host one now and another in six months. But there should be no doubt that we will be back in 2015."
Vicky Chandhok, Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India president, is hopeful India can force their way into the 2015 schedule, despite competition from other venues, and a drastic fall in spectators from the inaugural season to the second year in 2012.
"With venues in other countries also fighting for slots, we can't afford to miss out in 2015," Chandhok said. "But I am optimistic that the promoters will work out an agreement with Formula One to have two more races. We have a great facility here."
Indian-born Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn, though, was not so optimistic when it comes to the Indian GP regaining its place in the Formula One circuit.
"I think it is very difficult to come back to a country when you have left it," Kaltenborn was quoted as saying by Autosport.com.
"We have not been able to market ourselves properly in India. When you know you are not planning to be there the next year, maybe the interest has gone down."
