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Lalit Modi (C) with Preity Zinta (L) and Shilpa Shetty
© AP Images |
Lalit Modi, the suspended chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), attended the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday to show his support for the Indian contingent in Formula One.
Modi landed in the principality of Monaco after the qualifying session on Saturday. “Just got into Monaco to enjoy the F1 tomorrow. Will spend it with friends and family,” Modi tweeted.
The IPL chairman is currently suspended and is under investigation by the sport’s governing body, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), back home, due to financial irregularities in the domestic T20 league.
“Now only hope my friend Vijay Mallya makes it to the podium tomorrow. Here to cheer his team on,” he mentioned shortly after reaching Monte Carlo.
He made it clear as to which team he was cheering this season. “Force 1 India off course is who I support,” he said referring to the Force India team.
“Touched by the solidarity on the streets of Monaco. Touched by the solidarity for IPL. One day F1 too will have IPL following,” he pointed out. Over the years since its inaugural event, the IPL has gained immense popularity in India, a series that has also included foreign nationals playing in the domestic teams.
In recent years in F1, Dr. Vijay Mallya’s Force India, Karun Chandhok and Narain Kathikeyan have placed top-level motorsport on India’s map. “Good luck to only Indian driver Karan Chandhok on the circuit tomorrow,” he mentioned before Sunday’s race.
“Tomorrow a billion hearts will beat for Force India. As they must!” he added.
The 46-year-old is close to the Silverstone-based outfit’s team principal Dr Vijay Mallya. The former Member of Parliament also owns one of the IPL teams, Royal Challengers Bangalore, who lost out in the semi-finals this season.
Mallya displayed his humour when he stated, “And Lalit Modi isn't my customer either...reality is an illusion caused by alcohol deficiency!” said the liquor baron.
Modi’s observance and humour was evident even after his pending investigation. “Vijay Mallua hangs out with suspended people. Lalit Modi and Flavio Briatore,” he said light-heartedly. Modi was referring to Briatore’s presence on the track during the weekend. The former Renault team principal too was suspended by Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, due to his involvement in race fixing.
Mallya noticed his name incorrectly spelt in Modi’s last tweet to which he replied, “After a 15003 page reply to the BCCI little wonder that Lalit Modi spells my name wrong!” Modi had showed up in Monaco after submitting his reply to the BCCI in response to the charges levied against him.
In the race, Force India managed to achieve its first ever double points finish in the sport whereas Chandhok’s nasty incident meant that the Indian classified in 14th. After the race, the Indian racer joined Mallya and Modi to watch the T20 world cup final, a series that England won.