5 Things You Might Not Have Known About This Weekend's Indian GP

Image source: Sahara Force India F1 Team

Formula 1 heads to India this weekend for round 16 of the 2013 season. The sport moves from one of the toughest circuits on the calendar to one of the newest. The Buddh International Circuit made its F1 debut in 2011. Here are five things you might not have known about the race:

1. Vettel's domination

Image source: Getty Images

Not only did Sebastian Vettel win both Indian Grand Prix, he also led every single race lap too. Yep, all 120 of them. That impressive stat just proves how well-suited the Red Bull cars are to the high-speed Buddh International Circuit.

2. First lap

The first ever timed lap of the Buddh International Circuit was set by Karun Chandhok. The Indian driver completed the first practice session for Team Lotus - now the Caterham F1 Team - on home turf before handing the reigns over to race driver Heikki Kovalainen for the rest of the weekend.

3. It's a fast track

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The track layout is a driver's favourite due to its high-speed second sector and undulating characteristics. Incredibly, nine of the ten corners between turn five and 15 are taken between 125mph and 155mph.

The circuit also features a 1060 metre back straight, which is where the first of two DRS zones will be situated over the race weekend.

4. Absent from 2014

Image source: Sahara Force India F1 Team

The Indian GP will be absent from the 2014 calendar due to the expected re-positioning of the race in 2015 to a March date. Organisers don't see sense in hosting two races within the space of four months.

However, there are currently 22 races on the provisional 2013 calendar and if they remain for 2014, it could be difficult for the Indian round to fit back into the line-up.

5. Dog alert

Image source: AP Photos

The first practice session for the inaugural Indian GP was disrupted after several stray dogs were spotted on the circuit. Improvements were made to track security for the 2012 round in order to avoid a similar problem. Fortunately, no dogs were harmed over the race weekend.

How to change 5 wheels on one car

Image source: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

Last year's race saw an unusual pit stop from Hamilton. When he reported technical issues during his first stint, he pitted to have all five wheels changed.

Yes, you read that correctly. All four tyres and the steering wheel were changed in an incredible 3.3 seconds. To save time, Hamilton even disconnected the steering wheel prior to arriving in the pit box.

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