“In terms of getting people interested in the sport, for me that's a bigger problem (for India) than advertising for the race.The fans we had there (in India) were fantastic but we just didn't have a big fan base,“ Button told ETPanache during the recent Singapore GP.
The McLaren driver suggested that cost of tickets could have been a factor in the turnout. Steep ticket prices affect race attendance even in developed countries. “I don't know what the prices of tickets were (at the Indian GP),“ Button said. “In a lot of countries that's an issue. Even in Germany we struggle with the fan base because the ticket prices are high.“
Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel breezes past a turn at the Buddh International circuit in 2011 (Image: BCCL)
The tickets for the Indian GP ranged from Rs 1500 to Rs 21,000 approximately. The Indian GP was held for three years from 2011-13, before being shelved for taxation problems and the heavy debt on Jaypee Group, the race promoters. Button raced in all the three editions and finished second in 2011.
The 36-year-old Briton liked driving on the Buddh International Circuit. “It was a fun circuit to drive,“ he said.“It was fast, flowing, had some cool corners, good overtaking opportunities. My best result was second.But I had fun racing there. The straight was so long. You could have some good fights on the straight. If someone over took you, you could overtake them back at 220mph.“