Sachin Tendulkar at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida © Getty Images
By CricketCountry Staff
Greater Noida: Oct 30, 2011
Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, who created history by waving the chequered flag at the end of the first-ever Indian Grand Prix, has praised the organisers for a successful event.
Tendulkar wrote on his Twitter page: “Wonderfully organised F1 event by Jaypee. A world class track with excellent facilities for spectators. Truly a memorable day for all of us.”
“What an experience it was to wave the chequered flag!!! Got to keep it as well!!!” he added.
Tendulkar was the cynosure of all eyes as he mingled with the who's who of motorsports, including F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who himself had invited the star Indian cricketer for the race.
Tendulkar also met seven-time world champion and 'dear friend' Michael Schumacher and Mercedes team's other driver Nico Rosberg before the race.
He later joined the F1 fraternity in observing a minute's silence as a mark of respect to Dan Wheldon and Marco Simoncelli who recently died in tragic crashes in IndyCar and Moto GP races respectively.
Along with Tendulkar, the other Indian cricketers who were present at the race were Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha and a few others.
“Great support for Sahara force one.had so much fun..” tweeted Raina.
Ojha said watching the first Indian Grand Prix was an “amazing experience”.
Right-handed batsman Rohit Sharma said, “(It was) Life time experience. Sebastian Vettel was phenomenal."
