Silverstone: Indian Formula One driver Karun Chandhok says it will be tough for the inaugural Indian Grand Prix organisers to complete the work on the track near New Delhi for the October 30 race but they will eventually get the Buddh International Circuit ready in time.
The race was recently restored to its original October date after FIA decided to remove the Bahrain edition from the calendar following a series of flip-flops.
Chandhok, test driver with team Lotus, feels getting the circuit ready -- which is coming up in suburban Greater Noida of the Indian capital - is an "enormous task" for anyone who is doing it for the first time.
"It is an enormous project, especially since it is the first F1 track in India. It is also not a government project, unlike in every other country apart from Silverstone," Chandhok was quoted as saying by website F1fanatic on Tuesday.
"It is a big job for them, there is a lot to take on. It will be ready, there is no doubt. It is going to be tough but they are going to be ready."
Chandhok, a brand ambassador of the race organiser Jaypee Sports International, is expected to have another look at the 5.14 km circuit in August when the FIA homologation is also due in the first week of the month.
Chandhok, who might get to race in New Delhi considering he is a local driver, said he will be driving on the track next month.
"I will be back again driving in August. I am brand ambassador for the circuit, I am also a consultant for the project. So I will drive around just to iron out any bumps."
"The last time we drove it there was some bumps on the circuit, some bits off-line and on-line, some of the joints were not great. There is a lot of input I am trying to give them to just help as much as I can because I would like to see the Grand Prix go well."
Three turns out of the 16 on the racing track have been modified by German track designer Herman Tilke to provide more overtaking opportunities in what the organisers claim to be one of the fastest circuits in the world.
Chandhok reckons the track is designed for an exciting race.
"This (track) one is going to be good because they have taken recommendations - I was told Michael Schumacher came up with along with Charlie Whiting (FIArace director) to make the circuit."
"It is 21m in width on the entry to three of the corners so you have got a wide entry. On the opening lap of the race you could have six cars going six-wide on a 1.2km straight into turn four. It is going to be manic!"
The Chennai-based driver missed out on the first practice session of the European Grand Prix in Valencia due to a technical snag in T128. Chandhok said he will be seen more on track during practice for the remaining races but was evasive when asked about the opportunity to race.
"You will have to speak to Tony (Fernandes) about that," quipped Chandhok.
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