Like any new track, the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) is dusty and dirty just before the Friday free practice session.
However, drivers from various teams are ready to face the challenge on the unexplored track.
Sahara Force India's Adrian Sutil hoped that despite the odds his team would have a great weekend in its inaugural home Grand Prix. “The track looks interesting. It is still very dusty and dirty,” he said at the first official press conference here on Thursday.
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Veteran Brazilian driver of Williams, Rubens Barichello, had a slightly different take on the circuit. “The track is quite good. They have done a superb job in a short period of time. Like any new circuit, there should be some dirt on it and some dust but that's fairly normal,” he said.
Barichello said he had done 100 laps of the BIC on the small simulator he had at his home and felt nice about it.
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Jarno Trulli also had similar views as Barichello. “The layout of the circuit seems quite interesting. I hope they clean it today and tomorrow morning and see how the circuit develops this weekend.”
Indian ace Narain Karthikeyean said he loved the track because of the possibility of overtaking it offered.
Blind spot
Michael Schumacher found the BIC “a good mixture of all that we like to enjoy” and made a special mention of the blind spot going into the turn three.
Schumacher said it would be interesting to know the nature of the new asphalt and track. “Nobody knows the track, nobody knows the answer, everybody's going to go out there and find out.”
Asked on the expectations of the home fans, Karthikeyan gave a more practical answer. “The realistic thing with our car is to possibly finish the race and beat your teammate. It is a historic and symbolic moment that an Indian driver is on the grid.”
Defending Lotus' decision not to field Indian Karun Chandhok for the Indian GP, Trulli said, “I believe the team is trying to get the best position for the future. There is a lot of investment made by the team for next year to step into the midfield and I think none of us wants to lose the opportunity to finish 10th in the championship,” he said.