NEW DELHI // If the early response is anything to go by, the organisers of the Indian Grand Prix should have little to worry about over the turnout for the country's inaugural Formula One race on the outskirts of Delhi on October 30.
Tickets worth 12.5 million rupees (Dh1.005m) were bought in the first three hours of sales on Saturday, leaving Ashish Hemrajani, the head of race ticketing partner Bookmyshow.com, in no doubt that there will be a full house at the circuit.
"Honestly, we did expect such a response. After all, it's the first ever Formula One race in India and there was anticipation over when tickets would finally go on sale," Hemrajani told Reuters by phone.
"So far, we have sold tickets worth more than 50 million rupees. We knew the response would be good and we are very pleased. Outside cricket and cinema, you don't get such response. I think most of the tickets sold so far must have gone to people living in and around Delhi. We would be launching packages soon for the foreigners for their travel and stay."
Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One supremo, last week gave the 5.14 kilometre circuit a resounding thumbs-up ahead of the September 1 race, and home drivers Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok are also impressed by the layout.
"The first time I went there was in April last year and saw a lot of mud and a few ponds," Chandhok told reporters at Saturday's ticket launch programme. The reserve driver, who replaced Lotus team mate Jarno Trulli in a one-off appearance in last month's German Grand Prix, added: "The undulation they created is very, very impressive ... it adds to the character of the circuit.
"I think we got two to three special corners with double the width to promote overtaking. This is the first circuit in the world with overtaking zones recommended by some drivers and Charlie Whiting [the FIA race director]."
Elsewhere, the drivers and teams have started their migration to Spa-Francorchamps for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.
A favourite of many on the circuit, this weekend's race in the Ardennes forest holds special meaning for Michael Schumacher.
"This is where I drove my first ever Formula One race 20 years ago," said Schumacher on the Formula One website. "A lot has changed in those 20 years, but one thing has not: the track is still sensational.
"To me, Spa remains my 'living room', because it has been the stage for so many things which have been remarkable for my sporting career."
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
More on animal trafficking
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m. Winner: Majd Al Megirat, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Ahmed Al Shehhi (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m. Winner: Dassan Da, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m. Winner: Heba Al Wathba, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m. Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Richard Mullen, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Harbour Spirit, Adrie de Vries, Jaber Ramadhan.
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
