© Sutton Images/Buddh International Circuit

The dust at the Buddh International Circuit had settled down – quite literally and a bit figuratively as well but the future of the Indian Grand Prix was as hazy as the second edition that played out last weekend.

Formula 1 intends to tap the 1.3 billion inhabitants of the country and after the inaugural event last year threw up figures of 94,000 at the track, the expectations were much higher this year – after all the championship was still open with a Ferrari driver in the prime of his career still in contention.

But that convinced only an estimated 65,000 fans to make their way to the circuit – accounting for less than 0.05 percent of the population.

“Frist races (attendances) are always high and then at the second they go down,” F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone told reporters on Sunday.

“We have a competitor here. What’s the name of that game? “Cricket!” the 82-year-old said with a bit of mischief.

Organisers however were solemn about the event despite the astronomical costs that are involved in hosting a Formula 1 race and it was evident with the developments in several facilities – particularly for fans.

© Sutton Images/Buddh International Circuit

“From what we saw last year there has been a massive improvement and they will all keep improving. The good thing is that when they see something wrong they don’t run away and hide. They put it right,” observed Ecclestone.

But the haze is not in the hands of the organisers as television cameras failed to provide a clear view of the action on the track, but conditions were much better and clearer than in 2011.

“Last year sometimes I could not see more than two or three meters,” recalled Kamui Kobayashi. “In the morning when I drove to the circuit I really couldn’t see. There was a cow just a few meters in front of us and I nearly hit it.”

On a serious note, India has the potential to provide various businesses associated with the teams a platform for brand awareness through the giant billboard on wheels that is F1. One of the four BRIC economies, the chaotic country’s market size and rapidly advancing economic development is certain to set a productive stage in years to come.

Although staging a Grand Prix in the current scenario, amid the commotion that is this country, is akin to performing brain surgery during an earthquake. But surprisingly it all falls down and fits in where it should be.

“It’s a different country. It’s a country that you’ll see so many things happen. You have very nice things to see but also very bad things; like there are a lot of poor people who have a lot of difficulties,” witnessed Felipe Massa. “I am sure it is a country that is growing very quickly. Maybe in some years it’ll be much better.

“But you have the good and bad together so you give a lot of respect to this country. I remember even Brazil some years ago was like that to be honest. It had both good and bad things,” said the Ferrari driver.

© Ferrari

Massa, who visited the iconic Taj Mahal ahead of the Grand Prix weekend, however wasn’t a particular advocate of all things Indian.

“To be honest I don’t like really spicy food but some stuff is okay,” said the honest Brazilian.

Kimi Raikkonen wasn’t spicy in his response either when he was asked whether he was a fan of Indian delicacies.

“Yeah, actually I am, if it’s the same as it is in Europe,” smiled the Finn, prompting other drivers and the media in the Thursday press conference to break into a gentle laugh.

The Lotus driver didn’t stop the smiles there though. On Saturday, he was asked how he viewed Michael Schumacher’s last three years in F1.

“That’s your work isn’t it,” replied Raikkonen grinning ear to ear.

Sebastian Vettel too was smiling on Sunday, having extended his lead in the championship. But the German, who had narrated a statement in Hindi in the post-race press conference last year, didn’t learn any new phrases this time around saying that it wasn’t the “easiest language”.

But Lewis Hamilton did display a message in the local language on his helmet which translated into ‘Believe in yourself, and anything is possible’.

"I try and play with the design of my helmet in a few races around the year. Be it the first race of the season, or Monaco, Silverstone or the season-ending Brazil GP. The Indian GP is a very special race for me and hence I have designed a special helmet,” the McLaren driver explained.

Meanwhile, Mark Webber started and ended his Grand Prix weekend at the Buddh International Circuit disappointed with the media.

© Sutton Images/Buddh International Circuit

The Australian driver was quoted on Wednesday by the local press that Fernando Alonso still had a very good chance to win the championship, to which a reporter asked on Thursday whether the statement was “quite helpful”.

“Helpful for who?” Webber asked with a stiff voice.

“For the team, for Red Bull, for Seb. Because it sounds like you…”

“That’s a ridiculous comment!” Webber interrupted with a frown on his face. “Of course he has… he’s a two-time world champion. He’s six points off Seb. He has a great chance to win the championship!

“Do you want me to come out and say Sebastian is the only driver who can win it?” said the annoyed Australian. “You’re dreaming!

“Next question…”

On Sunday, when the floor was open to the media during the post-race press conference, Webber didn’t generate any interest from the assembled journalists while teammate Vettel and Alonso faced the spotlight.

And when the final query went to both the chief title contenders, Webber got up from his seat and prepared to walk out of the conference room before Matteo Bonciani, the FIA head of communications, stopped him and whispered a few words to urge Webber to maintain his position.

"It was the first time something like this happened in my charge. As an after-thought, Webber wrote me a mail and then came to my room to apologise,” Bonciani told the Indo-Asian News Service. “He said it is something he should not have done. Maybe he did that as he didn't like the questions asked in the room. It was nice he realised his mistake and the matter was over.”

Indeed, the Indian GP has settled down with Formula 1 now having accepted the country and the venue in its midst. It was just another Grand Prix weekend for the F1 fraternity and so it figured.

The numbers may have been weak and the championship may have tilted to being a one-horse race. Michael Schumacher won’t return as a racing driver and perhaps Indians don’t have much to look forward to, to make trips that could be well over 1000kms away from home.

But in a fatalistic country, there is always hope. F1 alone can shoulder the responsibility of giving the nation some semblance on the global platform. Mad as the machines may be, it makes India seem to be much saner than it really is.