Chandhok: ‘India doesn’t need MotoGP – MotoGP needs India’

“It [the F1 event] was privately funded, the government didn’t put the backing in and the private promoter [the Jaypee group] at the time couldn’t justify paying for it,” he says.

“The cost of the rights fees and operation of an F1 race are significantly higher than MotoGP. It’s a different promoter now [Fairstreet Sports], and they they’ve obviously got the backing and budget they need to make it happen, which is great.”

Chandhok hopes that the international event will be a “catalyst” for a national champion to move up into the international scene – but that’s if the MotoGP heroes get there first.

Visa delays have wreaked havoc throughout the whole paddock, with some riders apparently only able to arrive just before FP1.

“We have been updated about the current issue of delays in the visa issuance process,” Fairstreet said in a statement.

“Close to 500 visas have been cleared and a large number will be done shortly. The dedicated teams are doing everything possible to ensure every rider, team, technical officials visa are issued at the earliest.

“Please understand that this is not a reflection on our dedication and hard work. It’s an unforeseen technical glitch that’s part and parcel of the challenges faced during inaugural events like this.”

During its brief tenure, the F1 race was also subject to visa delays forcing people to join the paddock late, while a mooted 2013 World Superbike race at Buddh was cancelled due to “operational challenges”, which turned out to be a lack of properly trained marshals.