Jenson Button believes the Indian Grand Prix will become one of the all-time great Formula One events. The first race on the sub-continent in the sport's history on Sunday proved to be a booming hit with teams and drivers.
Like with any new race there were a number of teething problems, but they are not insuperable for the future. As for the fans, it would appear India is poised to squeeze F1, although it remains years away yet from piercing through to the masses, the preponderance of whom still live in poverty.
However, there were 95,000 who voiced their support for F1, with the prospect such a number will grow given the positivity that has been generated around the entire event. McLaren star Button, second to race winner Sebastian Vettel who took the chequered flag for the 11th time this season, feels a seed has been sown.
There was pretty good publicity for the place, so I think the word is going to get out,Button told Press Association Sport.Even though it was the first race there was a pretty good crowd, and the Indian people seem to love motor racing.
They were very excited about the racing out there and also when we were on the drivers' parade before the race.I think it will turn out to be one of the great events on the Formula One calendar.There are perceptibly things in the paddock that aren't quite there yet, and hopefully after one grand prix they will realise the areas they need to improve.
That in turn lends itself to a good race, which will further attract the fans in the years to come.It's one of the more physical circuits as well because there aren't really that many for us anymore, so it's great,added Button.The only thing is the dust, but I don't really know what you can do about that in India. It's very dry at this time of year, but overall the circuit is great.
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh felt the encouragement of the race was crucial to its success, in dissimilarity to many other venue where F1 has been badly let down in the past, such as Turkey and Korea. Whitmarsh said: The response from the people here in India was great, and I consider it will be a successful event.