'Influential' Chandhok confident Indian GP will survive

Even as Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone cast doubt over the future of the Indian Grand Prix at Hungary by saying it would probably not happen, Karun Chandhok, a driver for the HRT team in 2010, said that he is confident the race has a future in Formula One.

According to CNN, while saying it would be a shame to lose the race, which only made its F1 debut in 2011, Chandhok was confident that there is a future for elite motorsport at the Buddh International Circuit.

Chandhok said that if the 2014 race did not happen, then the existing contract, which is for five grand prix races, could be extended.

Chandhok and his father, who is the chief of Federation of Motor Sports Club, have held talks with Ecclestone, who they believe remains keen on keeping F1 in India, the report said.

However, the report added that competition for a spot on the sport's world tour is fierce, with grand prix races in New Jersey and Russia set to debut in 2014 and Austria looking set to return as a grand prix venue for the first time since 2003.

Chandhok said that when he had talks with Bernie, he found that he liked India and the Indian Grand Prix but there were a few issues that needed to be crossed, adding that Bernie was spoiled for choice because Formula One is in demand.