Mumbai wants to build a track to host F1
While the first Indian Grand Prix has not yet taken place, other projects are proliferating in the subcontinent. Hence, the country's capital, Mumbai, has appointed a consortium to study the feasibility of building a new circuit meeting F1 standards.
To successfully carry out this project, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has decided to surround itself with recognized experts in sports infrastructure construction, as the consortium is led by Capita Symonds, which made proposals for the London 2012 Olympic Stadium and the development plans for Silverstone.
From the outset, the project leaders display their ambition, as the goal is clearly to host a F1 race as well as the Moto GP: Initially, the scope of the consortium’s work is to identify a possible location for the circuit and its associated developments in Mumbai and around the city. Capita Symonds, Populous, and the DIMTS team (Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transit System Ltd) will work with the International Automobile Federation and the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) to ensure that the project meets all the requirements to host four and two-wheel races.
According to Jerry Muscroft, the director of development at Capita Symonds, the goal is for the circuit to be financially independent and therefore not a burden on the local economy but rather an element of urban development: “The consortium understands how major sporting projects can be urban generators that promote development. We will lead the sporting preparation and the creation of a sporting community and know how an attractive design can create significant value for neighboring areas and communities. We want to deliver the next generation of race circuits, with beautiful races, overtaking, world-class infrastructure, and architecture but, above all, the desire to create a viable circuit that will not need continuous financial support, facilitating investment and regeneration.”
Nevertheless, the Buddh circuit (in the suburbs of New Delhi) will need to prove that it meets the standards expected by the F1 field and that the event is well established among the local population. An event near Mumbai is therefore not to be considered for the next four or five years…
With the participation of RacingBusiness.fr
