India to get grand prix

Ecclestone: Go-ahead for Indian GP

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Formula One commercial rights controller Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed that India will host a grand prix in 2011.

The race, which will take place on a new track currently being built on the outskirts of New Delhi, is subject to the final approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council later this year.

F1 has enjoyed a steadily increasing profile in the country, with Force India, owned by billionaire businessman Vijay Mallya, about to undertake their third season in the sport.

Meanwhile, five years after Narain Karthikeyan became the first Indian to contest grands prix, Karun Chandhok has been signed by the new Hispania Racing F1 team.

The announcement came after a meeting of the World Council in Bahrain, which hosts the first race of the new season this weekend.

With Hispania set to make the grid in the Middle East after a recent takeover secured their immediate future, that of another struggling newcomer, USF1, was also discussed, with the FIA confirming that they could face penalties after they withdrew their entry.

Financial difficulties led the North Carolina-based team to mothball their operation last week - a move which has placed them in breach of the Concorde Agreement, which commits teams to the sport.

They could therefore face a financial sanction, with an FIA statement reading: "With regard to the US F1 team's non-participation in the 2010 championship, the World Council mandated the FIA president (Jean Todt)...to take forward the most appropriate action."