India GP Could be Pushed Back to Accommodate Bahrain Reschedule

The Indian Grand Prix at the JPSI promoted Buddh International Circuit could be handed a welcome timeline extension to be ready for its Formula One launch this year with reports suggesting that as discussions continue between Bernie Ecclestone, the FIA and Bahrain officials about the Sakhir race returning to the schedule, the dates for the India Grand Prix could be pushed back.  

India’s inaugural F1 encounter is currently scheduled for October 30, to be followed by the Abu Dhabi GP on November 13 and the season finale being the Brazil GP on November 27. However, in order to accommodate the Bahrain GP if it were to return to the calendar after cancelling its slated season opener earlier in the year, it is believed that the India GP would be pushed back to December 4, making it the last race of the 2011 F1 season.

The proposal is likely to get ready acceptance from the JPSI, keeping in mind the fact that work schedules at the Buddh International Circuit have been thrown out of gear due to the ongoing agitation by farmers in the Greater Noida area under which the track falls.

Farmers claim that the Utter Pradesh state government forced them to sell their land for the Yamuna Expressway – a six-lane highway being constructed between Noida and Agra. However, they say that much of the land surrounding the highway is being sold at astronomical rates to real estate developers who are planning malls and industrial as well as residential projects there. Farmers claim that while the government and the developers will make a significant profit, they have been shortchanged.