Formula one - Circuit Guide - Airtel Indian Grand Prix 2013

Buddh International Circuit 27/10/2013

India stands as one of the few popular Herman Tilke designs to have been introduced to the Formula 1 calendar in recent times. 

Previous winners 2012: Sebastian Vettel 2011: Sebastian Vettel

Circuit Stats Track Length 5.137 km Lap Record - S Vettel (2011) 1:27.249 Most Wins - S Vettel 1 No. of laps 60

Making its debut in October 2011 after years of anticipation, India received an enthusiastic thumbs-up both on and off the track, with 95,000 spectators in attendance to see Sebastian Vettel - who romped to victory again last year - take the chequered flag and the drivers, almost to a man, approving of their new place of work.

Hailed as "great fun to drive" by Jenson Button, and "awesome" by Nico Rosberg, the 3.18-mile Buddh International Circuit proved a rare instant hit.

Anything but an 'off-the-shelf' replica, the circuit boasts lots of elevation changes, and a good mix of high-speed corners with slow and medium speed turns.

The turn 10 and 11 sequence is slightly banked providing an unusual challenge for drivers and the long fast right-hander is similar to the triple apex turn eight at Istanbul Park.

It also contains the Tilke trademark: an ultra-long straight followed by a hairpin - which duly provided a healthy amount of overtaking opportunities into turn four during its debut race. A further attempt to promote passing came with a number of partcularly wide corner entries.

With Force India seen as a national team, and Bollywood stars turning out to add showbiz glamour, Formula 1 took the country by storm, unlike in other new venues on the calendar.

Expect the Indian GP to become an essential item on the calendar for many years to come.