Friday 16 May at 13:23 : Vijay Mallya has confirmed that the Indian grand prix is on track to join F1's annual calendar in 2010.

The sport's chief executive Bernie Ecclestone last year announced the deal to take formula one to the world's second most populous country, with a circuit slated to be built near the capital Delhi.

Since then, however, precious little has been heard about the project, despite the fact that Force India team co-owner and permanent paddock fixture Mallya is also head of the Indian national motor sporting federation.

Asked by the German news agency SID if the Delhi race is still on track, Mallya answered: "Yes.

"The people who have acquired the rights have the necessary land, they obviously have the necessary fees to pay Bernie Ecclestone, and they have the authority.

"Now they will build the track, together with Hermann Tilke. We are all looking forward to 2010," billionaire Mallya added.