Greater Noida: Amid dwindling spectator count and mounting administrative hassles, the Formula One carnival is all set to hit the national capital this Sunday with the third Indian Grand Prix, which faces an uncertain future after being pulled off next year's motorsport calendar.
As if the wrangling over taxes and clearances was not enough, the event is now facing a Public Interest Litigation in the Supreme Court, seeking a stay on the conduct of the race.
The apex court will give it a hearing tomorrow when the drivers warm up in the practice session.
Amid the off-track drama, greatness will be witnessed on it when a dominating Sebastian Vettel is crowned the youngest quadruple world champion this weekend.
With five comfortable wins in a row, the Red Bull driver has opened up a huge 90 points lead over nearest rival Fernando Alonso (207) of Ferrari and needs just a fifth-place finish to clinch his fourth straight world title.
Only two drivers before Vettel have won four straight titles—Juan Manuel Fangio from Argentina and German great Michael Schumacher.
The 26-year-old German is the only driver to win the Indian Grand Prix so far and the way he has dominated the second half of the calender, it looks unlikely that he would be challenged too much in his bid to score a hat-trick of wins at the Buddh International Circuit.
However, the legend-in-making is not ready to take his foot off the pedal yet.
“It is not an easy track, because of a few complicated rhythm-breakers that are in there. The most difficult part is the uphill entry to Turn 3, because seeing the apex is practically impossible. So to drive a perfect lap around the Buddh circuit, you need good driving instincts,” he said.
