Tendulkar arrives at Buddh circuit, meets Schumacher
The Hindu
Sachin Tendulkar and wife Anjali are welcomed by Manoj Gaur, CMD, Jaypee
Infratech, at the Indian Formula One Grand Prix 2011 at Buddh
International Circuit in Greater Noida. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt
A self-confessed Formula One fan, Sachin Tendulkar on
Sunday met seven-time world champion and ‘dear friend’ Michael
Schumacher at the Mercedes team building ahead of this afternoon’s
inaugural Indian Grand Prix here.
Tendulkar, who is
expected to flag off India’s maiden F1 race, arrived at the
newly-constructed Buddh International Circuit with his wife Anjali and
daughter Sara. However, his son Arjun was absent.
The
star Indian cricketer was received at the circuit by promoters of the
race, Jaypee Sports International’s Managing Director Sameer Gaur.
Soon
after arriving at the circuit, Tendulkar met F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone
at the lounge area for a half hour interaction. The duo was later
joined by legendary racing driver Jackie Stewart and Bollywood actor
Gulshan Grover.
Tendulkar also obliged the waiting
photographers along with Ecclestone, Gaur and Grover but refused to make
any comments, saying, “I will talk to everyone later.”
The
cricketing icon then headed straight to the Mercedes team building
where he exchanged pleasantries with Mercedes team principal Ross brawn
before meeting his long-time friend Schumacher.
Tendulkar
also introduced his wife and daughter to the German driver and met the
other Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg before heading to the VIP area.
Apart
from Tendulkar, a host of other celebrities from the sporting world and
Bollywood are also expected to attend the country’s maiden F1 race
later this afternoon.
Cricketers who are expected
during the race include India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Yuvraj
Singh, Virat Kohli, V.V.S. Laxman and England’s Kevin Pietersen. Tennis
star Sania Mirza will also attend.
Bollywood will be represented by Shah Rukh Khan, Arjun Rampal, Hrithik Roshan, and Abhishek Bachchan among others.
Some big names from the political world including Arun Jaitley and Kapil Sibal are also expected at the circuit.
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