India is edging closer to a deal to host formula one, with Toyota's first Indian sponsor revealing that the first race could be held in Delhi in 2009. Kingfisher Airlines' Vijay Mallya, who is believed to have close ties with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, told reporters at the launch of the TF107 in Cologne that he was “optimistic” about the prospect of an Indian GP. “The government of Delhi I think really wants formula one,” he said. Confirmation of a deal would continue F1's push into Asia, after South Korea signed a deal for 2010 and Ecclestone admitted this week that he was keen to finalise negotiations for a Singapore street race. Bernie said late in 2006: “We had to make sure we found the right place in India and we have.”
