The stairwell plunges straight off the side of a three-storey building. Rough and ready would be one way to describe the state of the Buddh International Circuit just a few days before the F1 circus descends.
To view the final preparations on Monday was to witness a crash course in last-minute remedial work. Team personnel sent in early to kit out the paddock homes and unload freight fought for space with hundreds of flip-flop-shod labourers who swarmed over the site; painting walls, hoeing parched earth, draining sewage, sweeping the track.
The main highway into the circuit — part of a £250 million (Dh1.464 billion) ‘Sports City' project funded by Indian conglomerate the Jaypee Group (JPSI) — was still shut.
Decade-long struggle
"It's a little rough and ready," grins Vicky Chandhok, president of the Indian Motor Federation and a key player in the decade-long struggle to bring Formula One to the world's second most populous country.
"But what do you expect? It's India. I think people anticipated worse."
True. Even Formula One's chief executive, Bernie Ecclestone, the ultimate can-do man, says he was pessimistic as recently as a fortnight ago.
"I was sent pictures of the track and thought: ‘Christ, we're not going to get it finished in time'," Ecclestone said. "But what they have done is incredible. The people there are very anxious to be sure they are doing a good job."
Not just anxious. Duty-bound. In a city still reeling from criticism of last year's Commonwealth Games, and the corruption and mismanagement which blighted it, this star-studded event has been seen as an opportunity for redemption.
Heavy metal veterans Metallica are playing a gig in town on Friday night with pop curiosity Lady Gaga wrapping up proceedings post-race.
Sporting royalty from Sachin Tendulkar to Sourav Ganguly will rub shoulders with Bollywood stars. It is an opportunity which JPSI founder Jaiprakash Gaur does not plan to squander.
"We will make up for the shameful memories of the Commonwealth Games," he promised.
"The world's perception of India is going to change after the grand prix."
Shared optimism
Bold talk when your stairways fall off the side of buildings? Perhaps. But Gaur's optimism is infectious and shared by many out here. My taxi driver, 28-year-old Inder Yadav, for one.
"It will be a big success," he predicted. "Everyone is excited; this is going to be huge. Formula One is good for India. Here people like to flaunt their new-found wealth. It is a status symbol thing."
Which is why F1 teams, sponsors and car makers have been licking their lips since the race was announced.
India has one of the fastest growing middle classes and the world's fourth largest economy by purchasing power. There are untold riches out there; an enthusiastic client base and a corporate class ready to capitalise.
"Sixty-five per cent of our population in India is between 25 and 35 years old," Chandhok says.
India, despite the traffic jams and dodgy stairways, has a life.
"Just remember," Chandhok laughs as I leave. "If it's chaotic it's only because of the mess you British left us in."
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