Bob Barnard Track Engineering

The latest trouble to hit the upcoming Indian GP is that of visas for those wishing to attend. Did no one associated with the race do their homework on this and the tax issues? The Times of India is reporting delays for drivers, teams, and journalists, and yes the FIA officials. There is even a report Rosberg has been refused! Obviously this not an event of "National Significance." The FIA head of communications is quoted as saying, "if it takes three weeks to get a visa then many people won't be going, including me."   

Now I actually have a visa, and yes it took weeks, causing me to miss meetings set up by a Government Authority who should have known better. The system is designed so that you cannot get to the consulate directly to try and speed things up, very frustrating. I was a little surprised, I had not required a visa to go anywhere for years, and with a British Passport foolishly thought this would be simple. Seems nothing is simple in India and they don't really want people to go there, except terrorists. 

So, if any team needs a driver, let them know I have a business visa.

That man Martin Whitmarsh is in the news again, he must be vying for attention with Montezemolo who has been in the papers every day this week. It appears FOTA is looking at purchasing part or all of the CVC shares in F1, buying back the farm. There are lots of successful player and team groups who have done this, PGA, ATP, NFL and NBA, and then there is CART. Martin says that the teams owning the sport will bring stability, but you cannot help wondering if the smaller teams, like HRT who is not a member of FOTA, would agree? Anyway, it must be better than a venture capital group just sucking money out musn't it?

On the driver front there are rumors that both Kubica and Petrov could be replaced by Senna and Grosjean, Senna bringing more money then Petrov. Renault has announced that Red Bull is their "factory team," no surprise there, and Boulier is apparently covering the bases by talking to Cosworth. All sounds a bit messy. Rumor yesterday that HRT are to switch to Renault power, leaving Cosworth with one customer, and you can't see how that works financially. Talking of leaving Cosworth, their CEO just did.