New Delhi keen to host F1 race in 2009

India's hopes of hosting a Formula One grand prix as early as 2009 gained a boost this week when Delhi's chief minister welcomed the idea of having a street race like the one in Monaco.

"If it comes to India, which I hope it will, I'd really welcome it," Sheila Dixit told reporters after her meeting with leading Indian businessman Vijay Mallya, whose Kingfisher Airlines is a new sponsor of the Toyota F1 team.

"It certainly is feasible. We had an extremely positive meeting with the chief minister, who is entirely supportive of the idea," Mallya said.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is keen to expand the sport's reach further in Asia, with South Korea already promised a grand prix for 2010 and Singapore hoping for a street race as well.

India, with a booming economy and more than 500 million people under the age of 20, is a strong candidate.