February takes the SBMRL to India to race Buddh International Circuit. Buddh was inaugurated in 2011 and held Formula 1 Grand Prix races from 2011 through 2013. The SBMRL makes a return here after a hiatus last season, having previously raced here in 2015.
Buddh
Buddh’s pit straight is quite short, and the run up into the first corner is a bit of an in-between distance for those on the front row. The key consideration here is the need to come out of turn 2 with speed for the circuit’s notable long straight. Those at the back of the grid will have to deal with congestion through these corners that may add to the challenge.
The circuit’s heaviest braking spot is the approach to turn 3, where cars will hope not to lose too much speed heading into the second sector. Turns 4 and 5 slow the field down considerably, meaning that car setup will require a balance between the long open straight and the congestion that follows.
The third sector is easily overlooked as the most boring part of the track, with each corner looking simple in isolation. However, the rhythm of this part of the track is what will trip drivers up, making it likely the hardest sector to get just right.
Starting Grid
Captain Slow has started in the top 3 every race this season, but has yet to record a podium, thus testing team management’s patience. Stevie will start alongside him on the front row. Jaap continues to slide in the standings after winning the season opener in Portland, moving his grid position into the top 3 for India.
Whiplash and Bubba, who are currently tied in the standings, have their tie broken in reverse order of finish at Interlagos, which gives the edge to Bubba. The Stig’s consecutive victories have vaulted him all the way to the top of the driver standings and his first start at the back of the grid since the SBMRL’s inaugural race at Austin in 2015.
- Captain Slow (SB)
- Stevie Wondertyres (SR)
- Jaap Snellrijder (RM)
- Launch Bornado (FR)
- Bubba McQueen (FR)
- Whiplash (SR)
- Sheila Dinkum (RM)
- The Stig (SB)
Pit selection will be in order of team standings, and for the second time this year we have a tie atop the standings. The tiebreaker is the team with the worse average starting position, and that is leaves the following:
- Regency Motors
- Force Ravenswood
- Scandinavian Blitz
- Sprite Racing
No driver has India as their home race this season.
Track History
While the Formula 1 races produced the same winner each of the three years it was held there, that will not be possible in the SBMRL as Danger Wheel won our race two years ago. Launch finished 2nd that year with none of the other current drivers managing a podium. It’s worth pointing out that our previous race produced no retirements.