F1 Update from the iSport F1 Pitstop: iSporter Kunal Shah tells us reasons behind Hero Motor's sponsorship of Narain Karthikeyan for the inaugural Indian Grand Prix.
The inaugural Indian Grand Prix is gaining some much needed traction. Yesterday, FIA's Charlie Whiting performed a routine inspection of the Buddh International Circuit. Today, Narain Karthikeyan and Hero Motor have announced a one-race sponsorship deal, which of course is for the Airtel Indian Grand Prix.
Confused as to why the deal is only for one race? Well, the Indian Grand Prix is expected to be our country's single biggest sporting event in 2011. It is expected to attract a few million viewers on TV and track attendance of over 100,000 spectators during the three day racing weekend. Hence the one race deal.
Hero Motors is also one of the country's oldest and largest business houses and wishes to associate themselves with the other two firsts; Narain Karthikeyan (India's first ever Formula1 driver) and the first ever Indian Grand Prix.
Narain Karthikeyan on the other hand will be much happy about this sponsorship deal as it secures (reads funds) his Indian GP drive. At the start of the season, Narain and TATA had joined hands for the 2011 Formula1 season. Narain, who drives for HRT, was dropped mid-season and replaced by Daniel Ricciardo. By my assumption, the one race deal should cost Hero Motor around $100,000 - $200,000 (USD). (The math is: if a 20-race annual deal for a bottom grid team like HRT costs a minimum of $2million, then a one race deal would cost Hero Motor on pro-rata + a certain premium)
While Narain announced that his Indian GP drive was confirmed a few weeks back. It probably was confirmed on the basis of this sponsorship agreement. A team would use a local driver in his local race only if there were sponsorship (read financial) benefits from it! This is also probably one of the reasons why Karun Chandhok hasn't yet confirmed his Indian GP seat. (atleast not publicly!)
So where does this money go? Well, not that it matters to the Indian F1 fan, but this is extra sponsorship money for HRT which should go towards car development or paying any other bill! With this confirmation, two of the three Indian elements for the Indian GP will be racing at the Buddh International Circuit. Will Karun Chandhok be there too?
Kunal Shah is a former racer and writes exclusively on www.isport.in. You can also check his F1 blog on www.kunalsf1blog.com
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Second hand cars
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... A proud design by the hero motors. Now the perfect talent can be provided with the best facilities required to improve the performance of the player. A very good luck for the Narain Karthikeyan. |
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