INDIAN GRAND PRIX PREVIEW: SEBASTIAN AND MARK LOOK AHEAD TO INDIA

Company press release.

GREATER NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh, India – We've only been racing at the Buddh International Circuit near New Delhi for the Indian Grand Prix since 2011, but the drivers enjoy it and so do the fans. The track is quick and technical in equal measure, and spectator numbers near 100,000 have been recorded. Not too bad at all considering it's a lot faster than cricket!

The venue was only officially finished a matter of days before the first Formula One race on October 30, 2011, and it's a classic Hermann Tilke track. The man behind most of the modern Formula One circuits penned the Buddh International in a similar style to his many other racing creations, with the main excitement feature being a long straight that ends in a hard-right hairpin – perfect for overtaking. Stretching over 5.14km in a layout some have likened to Spa, the track mixes two long straights – the longest is 1,060m at 320km/h - with plenty of tighter twists and turns to challenge the drivers and racecar set up later in the lap.

This exciting track layout and fan support make up for the track's perceived lack of racing history, but every new venue needs to start somewhere, and if the drivers enjoy the racing they'll race all the harder, and that's great for the fans.

Of course, we are very happy to report that the most successful driver in the track's short history is none other than Infiniti Red Bull racer Sebastian Vettel, having taken the top step and pole position in India in both 2011 and 2012. That's a 100 percent record, and coming off five wins running up to this Indian GP, Vettel is likely to look forward to 2013's race with confidence. Teammate Mark Webber took third position in 2012 and will surely be looking to match or improve this placing at his last race at the circuit and one of his last for the Infiniti Red Bull Racing team.

While the Infiniti Red Bull RB9 racecar is often credited as having the most downforce of the any of the Formula One cars – an effect that's crucial for fast cornering and direction changes – the statistics from the last race at Japan have shown that Webber's car was the quickest through the speed trap, at 308km/h. It can be the case that high downforce comes hand-in-hand with more aerodynamic drag, but it appears not for the RB9 at Japan where Webber came in a strong second place behind Vettel. Food for thought for Infiniti Red Bull's competitors.

The most prominent headlines heading into the 2013 Indian Grand Prix will be the potential fourth consecutive Championship wins for both Vettel and Infiniti Red Bull Racing. There is still work to be done by drivers and team of course, but there is surely nothing more exciting for the Indian Formula One fans than the possible crowning of new world champions at their home race. Indeed, India could be the hot GP ticket of the year.

Sebastian Vettel - 2012 Qualifying: 1st - 2012 Race: 1st

'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 a good driving instinct. So far everything has always gone perfectly for us in India. There is also a very nice trophy at the end of the race - so it would be great to hold one again this year! It's a circuit that I like, in a country that is very, very impressive every time we go there.'

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Mark Webber - 2012 Qualifying: 2nd - 2012 Race: 3rd

'India's an extremely unique country for lots of different reasons. Culturally there's lots going on and you've got some pretty spectacular cities, busy cities. I've tried some of the local food and it's really tasty, and obviously spicy, but I don't mind that! The track is good. I think they've done a good job with the circuit. It's a place where you can really put a Formula One car on the limit and it's quick. It's a very demanding track for the car and driver. It's probably very similar to the old Turkey circuit, but the middle sector is very similar to Silverstone - it's very, very fast but has some undulations as well. The undulations are quite good and quite cute; they've put them in some challenging areas for us.'