Wanna race? Buy a team for $5Mn

The ‘i1 Super Series’, promoted by Machdar Motorsports, will have nine teams, representing nine different Indian cities including Mumbai. Each team will have two cars, thus forming an 18-car grid. It’s also mandatory for team to have one Indian driver and one international driver.

The series will be spread across seven Asian cities, including New Delhi, and Chennai. Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur and Pattaya are the other cities where the races will be held. The series will start on December 18 in New Delhi and will culminate with the final race in Chennai on February 25. The proposed calendar though is subject to the approval of the FIA (motorsport’s world governing body). Though the model is much like the IPL – a franchise will have to shell out a $5 million to buy a team for a 15-year period – there will be no driver or team auctions. 

“It’s true that the format has been inspired by IPL, but our business model is different. The base price of the $5m to own a team is available only by invitation and not by auction,” said Anajana Reddy, director, Machdar Motorsports. She added that many cricketers, actors and business houses have already shown interest to buy the teams. 

All the cars would be single make, configuration and technical specification, so as to ensure that driver skill would be at maximum display. The formula carscan touch speeds of upto 250 kmph.

“Each race weekend would consist of one qualifying session and two races in sprint format. A total of 14 races would make up the first season of the i1 Super Series. The total prize money would be $2 million. The series will be held under the aegis of FMSCI and FIA,”said Darshan M,CEO,i1 Super Series.

The name of the drivers, both Indian and international, are likely to announced next month. The team owners too would be finalised in the coming weeks.

The CALENDAR: 

Dec 18: New Delhi

Jan 8: Abu Dhabi

Jan 15 : Doha

Feb 22: Dubai

Feb 5: Kuala Lumpur

Feb 12: Pattaya

Feb 25 :Chennai