2011 Indian Grand Prix in pictures

Last year, India hosted its first ever Indian Grand Prix. Here’s a recap of last year’s race in pictures:

Pre-Race Events:

Formula 1 is a glamorous sport and as so it was no surprise to see some of the eminent Bollywood starts and sports stars attend the inaugural Indian Grand Prix.

Sachin Tendulkar waved the chequered flag at the Inaugural Indian Grand Prix.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone (C) is seen with cricketer Sachin Tendulkar (L) and Bollywood actor Gulshan Grover (R) before the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.

How could King Khan miss out on the F1 action? As an Indian, he was out in full support of Force India and even got posters of his movie “Ra.One” on the nose cone of Force India.

NOIDA, INDIA – OCTOBER 30: F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan are seen on the grid before the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.

One Minute silence for Marco Simonecelli (Moto GP) and Dan Wheldon (Indicar). The motorsport world suffered two successive fatalities in a week.

NOIDA, INDIA – OCTOBER 30: F1 drivers and team bosses pay their respects with a minutes silence for Indycar driver Dan Wheldon and Moto GP rider Marco Simoncelli before the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.

The start:

As the five red lights go out….

NOIDA, INDIA – OCTOBER 30: Sebastian Vettel (R) of Germany and Red Bull Racing leads at the start of the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.

First lap Argy-Bargy…

NOIDA, INDIA – OCTOBER 30: Rubens Barrichello of Brazil and Williams loses his front wing in a collision with Kamui Kobayashi of Japan and Sauber F1 at the start of the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.

Kobayashi and Barrichelo tangle on the first lap[/caption]

NOIDA, INDIA – OCTOBER 30: Rubens Barrichello (L) of Brazil and Williams loses his front wing in a collision with Kamui Kobayashi (R) of Japan and Sauber F1 at the start of the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.

Embarrassment:

An F1 fan???

NOIDA, INDIA – OCTOBER 28: A dog runs on the track before the start of practice for the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 28, 2011 in Noida, India.

In-Race Highlights:

End of the race for Pastor Maldanado as his gearbox fails:

NOIDA, INDIA – OCTOBER 29: Pastor Maldonado of Venezuela and Williams drives during the final practice session prior to qualifying for the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 29, 2011 in Noida, India.

Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton collide with each other for fourth time in 2011 season.

NOIDA, INDIA – OCTOBER 30: Felipe Massa of Brazil and Ferrari rides over the kerbs during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.

Felipe Massa eventually retires after damaging the suspension of his Ferrari on concrete Kerbs.

NOIDA, INDIA – OCTOBER 30: Felipe Massa of Brazil and Ferrari is given a lift back to the pits after crashing out during the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.

Post Race Celebration:

Sebastian Vettel wraps it up in style.

NOIDA, INDIA – OCTOBER 30: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.

The champagne flows for Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso.

NOIDA, INDIA – OCTOBER 30: Race winner Sebastian Vettel (C) of Germany and Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium with second placed Jenson Button (R) of Great Britain and McLaren and third placed Fernando Alonso (L) of Spain and Ferrari following the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.

Red-Bull team celebrate a dominant victory.

NOIDA, INDIA – OCTOBER 30: Sebastian Vettel (2nd R) of Germany and Red Bull Racing celebrates with team mates in the paddock after winning the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India.