India's date with the high-profile Formula One race might have been deferred by a year but Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Suresh Kalmadi feels it's a blessing in disguise for the organisers who now will have more time to prepare for the showpiece event.The Indian Grand Prix was actually slated for 2010 and Greater Noida was chosen for the track but Kalmadi said F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone recently informed him that the event will now be held in 2011.
"Bernie has taken the decision to hold F1 race in India in 2011 instead of 2010 and he might have taken into consideration all possible reasons while deciding," Kalmadi told reporters at the ING Renault Road Show at the Rajpath in New Delhi on Sunday.
"In a way, it's good for us. I think 2011 is the right time as we will get ample time for preparations. Moreover, we are already hosting a big event in 2010, the Commonwealth Games, and it would be great for Delhi to host this F1 extravaganza the next year," Kalmadi said, adding construction work of the track would start soon.
Kalmadi, who is also the Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, said the Renault Road Show, organised to mark the 700th day countdown of the Delhi Games, would enthuse more and more people for the 2010 mega-event.
"We are conducting these events to encourage the sportspersons of the country, keeping in my mind the Commonwealth Games," he said.