Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is confident about putting India on the Formula One map in 2006 after F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone accepted an invitation to visit Hyderabad during the inaugural Afro-Asian Games, next month.
"We discussed details on infrastructure and how we can hold the event. My impression is that he [Ecclestone] seemed quite satisfied with the bid presentation, although it is too early to say anything on the eventual outcome," Naidu said after meeting Ecclestone at the Monza racing track on the sidelines of the Italian Grand Prix.
Naidu, on a three-day mission to Monza, Italy, to woo F1 racing to India, said he is confident that Hyderabad will be allotted a Grand Prix in 2006.
"I am quite hopeful that Formula One will come to India by 2006," he said.
"The meeting went off well and ended on a positive note. We are satisfied with the outcome," Naidu said after the 45-minute rendezvous with the auto sport's ringmaster.
Naidu said the fact that the meeting stretched well beyond the original 10-minute schedule is a pointer to the mission's success.
Hyderabad is aspiring to be only the fourth city in Asia to host a multi-million dollar Formula One Grand Prix in 2006, at a site near Gachibowli on the city outskirts.
Japan and Malaysia are already on the F1 calendar, while China has been allotted a race in the year 2005. The Formula One World Championships consists of 17 races in a year.
"We had a fruitful discussion. He [Ecclestone] hosted lunch for us and now we will host him a dinner," Naidu said after emerging from the meeting on Saturday, which also included an audio-visual presentation.
Naidu said Ecclestone will be present at the Afro-Asian Games from October 24 to November 1 for either the opening or closing ceremony.
"The sport (F1) has gained a lot of interest in India in recent years and if it comes to Hyderabad, it will give a big boost to Indian sport.
"Besides, it will also raise the profile of the country on the world stage and create numerous direct and indirect job opportunities," he said.
"India is a big country and I am sure if given the opportunity we can compete and do well in the sport. We need to create the infrastructure. If we have a Formula One track it will help aspiring Indian drivers. It will popularise the sport to a great extent," Naidu said.
He said his government has tied up with International Management Group to promote and create sporting infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh.
"We will be renovating and completing a few projects before the Afro-Asian Games scheduled for October."
"IMG will be investing around Rs 700 crore (Rs 7 billion) for creating infrastructure, which will also include building two cricket stadiums," he said.
Naidu came to Milan at the invitation of Ecclestone who wanted to discuss the size of the proposed event in Hyderabad and the requirements for hosting it.
Formula One - The complete coverage of the 2003 season
