India go for 2010

Suresh Kalmadi, the president of the Indian Olympic Association, confirmed that Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management group, which oversees the commercial side of the sport, had approved two sites close to the capital City New Delhi.

The IOA, who will act as the promoters of the race, will have the final say on which site is used for the track, which will be designed by Hermann Tilke.

Kalmadi said: "I met Mr. Ecclestone in London last week and I'm happy to say he told me it is a good report and that they have selected two sites for the F1 track.

"He also handed over to me the two draft contracts, for race promotion of the Grand Prix of India in the F1 world championship and the circuit rights agreement.

"I'm happy to say the first race has been finalised for the year 2010.

Kalmadi said that he was not sure where in the calendar the race would fall, but made no secret of the fact that he would like it to be the season opener for the next ten years.

"We'll be signing the contract for 2010. The month is not finalised but it could be March, the first race, or after the Bahrain Grand Prix," he added.

Kalmadi had said in June that a deal had been agreed, but not signed with Ecclestone to host a race from 2009 onwards, but that proved to be a little optimistic.

The delay is bad news for Narain Karthikeyan, who became India's first Formula One driver in 2005 and will be 33 by the time his country stages the event, perhaps putting him out of the race to return to F1 full time.