India and F1: time’s up? | beyondbrics

India and F1: time’s up? | beyondbrics:

"Three months before New Delhi stages India’s third grand prix, the country’s love affair with motorsport risks heading for a nasty collision. Bernie Ecclestone warned ominously at the weekend its place on the 2014 calendar was in jeopardy.

“Very political,” said the 82 year-old, chief executive of Formula One Management, when asked to explain the problem. It looks like the Indian government’s attempt to extract taxes on revenues and other red tape have riled the teams and made them wonder aloud whether the Indian market is worth it.

India was part of the Ecclestone masterplan to portray F1 as a truly global sport. Formula One Management likes the demographic profile of the Indian market – under 35, AB social class – though there is precious little detail from FOM on the penetration. “…over 400 hours of coverage served the Indian market, and, unsurprisingly, the most watched 2 hours was the Indian grand prix…” said FOM in its global broadcast support for 2012."

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