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[Blwe_torch]

Vijay Mallya takes on Sports Minister over F1
Times Now 31 August 2009, 09:43am IST

NEW DELHI: Hours after creating history on the Formula One tracks, Force India owner Vijay Mallya slammed Sports Minister MS Gill for his ill conceived remarks over Formula one.

Just a few days ago the Sports Minister had refused a grant for F1 races to be held in India, saying that it was not a sport.

"F1 is not purely sports. It is entertainment and this venture by JKSP is a commercial initiative. The proposed F1 race does not satisfy conditions which focus on human endeavour for excelling in competition with others, keeping in view the whole sports movement from Olympics downwards," said MS Gill.

The tricolour finally conquered Formula One, after Force India's Giancarlo Fisichella drove a fairytale race to finish second in the Belgian Grand Prix to score the team's first points on Sunday.

This is a significant step by Force India in putting the country on the Formula One map. However, the sports ministry thinks otherwise.

But Vijay Mallya is not buying that argument. Speaking exclusively to TIMES NOW Mallya said, "F1 has a huge growing fan base in India, particularly amongst youngsters. The sport is probably the most widely watched sport in the world. The viewer ship on TV is next to Olympics or Football World Cup. I can't understand anyone who says it is not a sport."

And not just Mallya, even noted F1 commentator Steve Slater feels the same. He said, "I know there is a controversy in India on whether F1 is a sport or not. If those who believe it is not a sport and if they were watching the race, they might change their decision on Monday morning."

An Indian team on the podium may change the sport ministry's attitude. If that doesn't it could be the popularity of the sport that could possibly change the outlook the ministry.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/racing/top-stories/Vijay-Mallya-takes-on-Sports-Minister-over-F1/articleshow/4953339.cms

[Blwe_torch]

'If F1 is entertainment, so is Olympics'
Ruhi Batra, TNN 26 August 2009, 01:26am IST

NEW DELHI: There were exaggerated shakes of the head or loud guffaws when people from the motorsports fraternity in India read that the Indian sports ministry doesn't view Formula One as a sport.

In an exclusive report in TOI on Tuesday, the sports ministry sources had stated that "Formula One is not purely sports. It is entertainment and this venture by JKSP is a commercial initiative." JKSP has signed a deal with Formula One Management to be the race promoters for the F1 race to be held in India in 2011.

Driver Karun Chandhok, seen by many as India's next F1 hope, scoffed at the comment. "At the end of the day, F1 is a sport. I don't understand how it's called entertainment. By that logic, even the Olympics are entertainment," he told TOI from Brackley.

Currently driving for Ocean Racing Technology team in the GP2 Series, Chandhok was dismissive of the government's reaction. "Unfortunately in India, if it's not cricket and it's not an Olympic sport then it's classified as a non-sport. Formula One is one of the biggest sporting events in the world. It's sad that our ministers and officials don't think so," he added.

Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India, FMSCI, who is also the local ASN of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile in India, chose to refrain from commenting on the issue.

"We've taken a stand of not commenting on the issue till we talk to officials in the ministry ourselves. FMSCI is recognized by the ministry and is also a member of the International Olympic Association. For me, this seems like a non-issue and pertains only to the remittances required for the project," stated Rajan Syal, chief executive of the FMSCI.

Sanjay Sharma, head of motorsports JK Tyres, was also surprised by the comments made by ministry officials. "This sport has always been patronized by the government. In the 1980s, in the Himalayan Rally, some of the world's top teams participated and the President used to flag off the rally. The FMSCI is recognized by the government. So what exactly is the issue at hand is a bit unclear," remarked Sharma.

JPSK, being the race promoter, will definitely have a business model to follow and in all probability is looking for a few concessions that the Indian government might allow it. The trend of circuits which hinge on government support are not new in F1. The Sepang International Circuit, venue for the Malaysian Grand Prix or the Bahrain International Circuit in Saakhir are just two examples where the national governments pitched in and the spin-offs for the country are plenty.

Even Bernie Ecclestone has tried to ask the British government to step in and help British circuits. "I've been campaigning for a long time that the government should support the Grand Prix, like they support the Olympics and like other countries support their Grands Prix," he said earlier.

There is also a section of opinion that perceives India as not being a mature enough F1 market. "Private circuits like Hockenheim, Fuji and Silverstone are struggling to survive. It's not financially viable. So unless there's government support, it will be very difficult to survive. On another hand, from a promoter's point of view I don't think that India is evolved enough as a sporting nation for an F1 race. Building a Grade 1 circuit is a very expensive proposition," said Yohann Setna, sporting manager, A1 Team India.

Chandhok feels this is just a minor issue and that the planned race will not be held back. "This just seems like a temporary setback. It's sad that they don't think F1 is a sport but there are enough people who think differently and would like to see a race in India," he said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/SPORTS/Racing/Top-Stories/If-F1-is-entertainment-so-is-Olympics/articleshow/4934798.cms

[keep-it-cool]

I dont understand F1 all that well ....but if one were to say allot a total of 100 points depending on their relative importance ..how would it break down between

a) the car
b) the driver
c) other factors (whatever they may be - just added this coz I have no idea what else may be involved)

[Blwe_torch]

I dont understand F1 all that well ....but if one were to say allot a total of 100 points depending on their relative importance ..how would it break down between

a) the car
b) the driver
c) other factors (whatever they may be - just added this coz I have no idea what else may be involved)

The car is really the instrument..................just as a rifle is to a shooter or the bow is to an archer. I would give, 40% each to the Car and the Driver. The remaining 20% can be given to the support staff- those who maintain pit-stop efficiency, the automobile engineers, designers, etc.

[Blwe_torch]

I still stand by my comment on Formula One: Gill
TIMESOFINDIA.COM 31 August 2009, 02:57pm IST
   
NEW DELHI: Sports minister MS Gill clearly stated that he still stood by his previous comment that Formula One is not a sport, reacting over remarks made by Force India owner Vijay Mallya after finishing second at the Belgium Grand Prix on Sunday.

According to Times Now channel Gill said that Formula One is the most expensive entertainment in the west.

Earlier on Sunday, Force India owner Vijay Mallya, hours after creating history on the Formula One tracks, slammed sports minister MS Gill for his remarks that Formula One wasn’t a sport.

Just a few days ago the Sports Minister had refused a grant for F1 races to be held in India, saying that it was not a sport.

MS Gill had said, "F1 is not purely sports. It is entertainment and this venture by JKSP is a commercial initiative. The proposed F1 race does not satisfy conditions which focus on human endeavour for excelling in competition with others, keeping in view the whole sports movement from Olympics downwards.".

On Sunday, the tri-colour finally conquered Formula One, after Force India's Giancarlo Fisichella drove a fairytale race to finish second in the Belgian Grand Prix to score the team's first points.

Speaking exclusively to Times Now Mallya said, "F1 has a huge growing fan base in India, particularly amongst youngsters. The sport is probably the most widely watched sport in the world. The viewer ship on TV is next to Olympics or Football World Cup. I can't understand anyone who says it is not a sport."

And not just Mallya, even noted F1 commentator Steve Slater feels the same. He said, "I know there is a controversy in India on whether F1 is a sport or not. If those who believe it is not a sport and if they were watching the race, they might change their decision on Monday morning."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/I-still-stand-by-my-comment-on-Formula-One-Gill/articleshow/4954547.cms