Indian GP definitely on track,insists Bernie

Asked specifically whether the race in India would go on,Ecclestone said from London: “It’s been on for a long time. There’s never been any doubt. The contract has been signed long time back.”

Ecclestone,the president and CEO of Formula One Management,insisted the process was on. “We’re waiting for the circuit to be constructed. The foundation stone would be laid in late October. I will be in India for it,” he said.

Ecclestone made light of sports minister M S Gill’s views. “Everybody is entitled to their views. That’s the good or the bad part of democracy. If the sports minister doesn’t think it’s a sport,I can’t do much about it. That’s his view. The rest of the world thinks it is a sport,” Ecclestone said.

On how he planned to make F1 popular in India,Ecclestone said he would try to meet people and see how it could be done when he visits the country in October.

Ecclestone also insisted that sponsors were returning to the sport despite the pull-out of several auto companies citing financial concerns. “I don’t know about India but most of the world is in recession. Sponsorship was obviously a problem as a lot of big names were reconsidering but it is better now and sponsors are coming back,” he said.

“There is no financial crisis now and there is no shortage of sponsors in Formula One,” Ecclestone said.

Fisichella to stay: Mallya

Force India chief Vijay Mallya made it clear that Giancarlo Fisichella,who earned the team’s first pole position and podium finish in Belgium,was not going to Ferrari,as was being rumoured. “These are all rumours. We have not been approached by anybody and I would not want to comment on such speculation,” Mallya said.