In my previous columns, I’ve discussed various subjects related to the first-ever Indian Grand Prix – from the best seats in the house to enjoying the F1 experience at the Buddh International Circuit, to even how to go about winning a free ticket to the race. This time, I’ll talk about the sport itself, motorsport.

Yes, some may wonder why I call it a sport when our Government classifies Formula 1 as ‘entertainment.’ But, I’ll leave that argument for a later date. This time, I want to focus on how Formula 1 could, and should, fuel the growth of the Indian motorsport industry in the years to come. Can Formula 1 really be the power boost that motorsport in India has been awaiting for so many decades?

The answer to that is most certainly yes. Am I jumping the gun? Well, probably yes, but given the cues from the corporate world thus far, the possibilities seem endless. What cues one may ask? Well, the build-up to the Indian Grand Prix has been exciting, and if you’ve read my previous column, you’ll know that brands and corporates have gone all out to promote their association with Formula 1. So, how will this grow the sport in the country?

Let me answer that question by citing the problem in the first place. Motorsport, in the country, is on the brink of explosion, and if you were to map the increase in the level of activities in the last few years, you would agree. In fact, it’s mainly the lack of infrastructure that has dogged the sport for many years. And how would that change?

Well, come the Indian Grand Prix, brands are expecting (and so am I) the Indian youth to get hooked onto the sport and start following it. There will be many who will take to the sport in various ways as well, and these are areas where support will be needed to fuel growth. What support?

Indian motorsport does not have a dearth of talent, what it’s lacking is world-class racing infrastructure – and that’s where corporate support will be vital. Funding will be critical to ensure that the sport gets support at the grassroots level, and that budding racers get a chance to showcase their skills and come up the ladder.

Grassroots level programs have already been initiated in the country by JK Tyres, the Sahara Force India Formula 1 team, MRF, and even Volkswagen. To support these initiatives, and take them to the next level, one needs better infrastructure. There are less than 10 proper karting circuits in the country where a budding racer can hone his skills. The immediate need for motorsport in the country is more racetracks, and hence more racing schools. Currently, the country has no more than five racing schools, and even those are inadequately supported.

This is where I draw a direct connect with Indian motorsport and the Indian Grand Prix. To establish infrastructure that can aid the growth of the sport in the country, one needs corporate India to step forward and invest in it. Your next question should be – but why should corporate India fund this jump to the next level?

The question is relatively simple to answer, but difficult to explain. Nevertheless, as always, here’s my best attempt. With the Indian Grand Prix, Formula 1 viewership figures in the first year is estimated to cross over 30 million in India. The current figures are estimated to be around 22 million.

This increase in viewership, and hence followership, is what corporate India will be keen to exploit. Brands will be in a race to be seen as a part of this trend, and hence be willing to invest. Top-of-the-mind recall, first mover advantage, strategic positioning, etc., will be the words buzzing in corporate boardrooms post the Indian Grand Prix, with the question most probably being – how do we get involved in motorsport in India?

Formula 1 is an easy answer, but the Indian Grand Prix is an expensive option. There will be brands with or without an association in Formula 1 that will be willing to associate with the sport, and that sort of support will be important.

Also, for the Indian Grand Prix, and their organizers, growing Indian motorsport will be a key criteria for selfish reasons. The Chinese and Turkish Grand Prix are suffering from low ticket sales because the sport hasn’t taken of locally, and the Jaypee Group will surely be cognizant of these mistakes.

Having said that, Indian motorsport has been buzzing by itself over the last decade, and has seen many Indian drivers progress through the ranks to represent India on the international stage. There have been at least 4 new classes of racing cars that have been introduced in India recently. However, circuit racing has been limited to the sole racing tracks in Chennai and Coimbatore, with no racetracks in the North as yet. Now, do you see where I am getting at?

So, the Indian Grand Prix could well be the KERS unit in the Indian motorsport machinery. Keep racing!