Greater Noida: Bernie Ecclestone had more than just his 81st birthday to celebrate this weekend. The inaugural Indian GP got underway at 3 pm on Sunday and when TOI caught up with the Formula One supremo, he'd just finished exchanging pleasantries with cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and Bollywood villain Gulshan Grover. Just a couple of weeks ago, Ecclestone had expressed fears over last-minute preparations at the Buddh International Circuit. On Sunday, though, he looked very happy. "What they had to build here in the short amount of time is just incredible. I've seen what happens at most new races and new tracks," he said. Though the circuit was finished in time, a couple of weeks more would have left everything looking greener and sparkling, agrees Ecclestone. "India should be very proud that a private enterprise has achieved this. Everything is super, it just needed a little bit of polish. It needs to be tidied up which doesn't take time." Most new circuits are red flagged for their boring design and ultimately one-sided action come race day. But the Buddh International Circuit has got universal praise for its design. The Times Of India