SEPTEMBER 4, 2003

Indians head for Monza

Chandrababu Naidu, the chief minister of the state of Andhra Pradesh will be in Monza next week for a meeting with Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone to discuss the possibility of holding a race in Hyderabad. The government in planning to build a Formula 1 track close to the new international airport near the city, following the model established in Malaysia, in an effort to boost the state's tourism industry.

The Formula 1 authorities have always been keen to get a race in India where the huge population - around one billion people - would be a great attraction to Formula 1 sponsors. India has a fast-developing middle class which is estimated to be in the region of 200m people.