By IANS,
Greater Noida : Formula One management and Jaypee Group, promoters of the Indian Grand Prix, remained unfazed about the 30,000 dip in the number of spectators for the second year of the race at the Buddh International Circuit here Sunday.
An estimated 65,000 people turned up at the Buddh International Circuit for the second Formula One Indian Grand Prix while in the inaugural season the attendance was close 95,000.
The dip is substantial but race promoters Jaypee Group and sport?s rights holder Formula One management do not see it as a major issue.
“The first time the excitement is always high, second it goes down. Third year is what is important as there is something to worry if the interest keeps on falling. And we have stiff competition from cricket,” said F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone at the paddock area of the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) here.
The BIC capacity stands at 1,00,000. A top Jaypee official told IANS that only 3,000 complimentary passes were distributed.
?Second year the interest is bound to go down but 65,000 is still a huge number. For us, the most important thing was the Grand Prix went smooth. All the technology functioned properly. The teams and the drivers were happy with the upgraded facilities,? the official said.