To make the point that Formula One is not an elite sport, it's a sport for the whole world with six hundred million people enjoying it and many many thousands of people participate is one thing. But to have the event in India is another.
Formula One is known for its high entry costs and glamorous lifestyle, while seven-time champion Michael Schumacher is estimated as one of the world's richest sportsmen.
The sport's lavish image has prompted some discomfort before Sunday's Indian Grand Prix, held at a brand new, $400 million racetrack in Uttar Pradesh, a state rated as one of the world's poorest regions.
"You can't forget the poverty in India. It's difficult coming here for the first time, you realise there's a big divide between the wealthy people and the poor people," said British driver Jenson Button.
But Force India chief Vijay Mallya said India should not be "bogged down" by the fact that more than a third of its 1.2 billion population live on less than a dollar a day.
"In every country there are the privileged and under-privileged. We have under-privileged people in our country but that doesn't mean the country must be bogged down," Mallya said.
"We must move forward. The Commonwealth Games were held here in India, now it's Formula One. I'm sure there will be several other global events in our country because this is a world-class country in many ways," he added.
Remember the same issues were raised when the Sepang F1 Circuit were being planned and until today incurring heavy loses.
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