London Olympics bronze medal winning shooter Gagan Narang will flag off the second Formula One Indian Grand Prix in Greater Noida, on Sunday.
Narang, who clinched a bronze in the 10m air rifle event, confirmed his attendance on Saturday night.
"Sports Minister Ajay Maken was our first choice to flag off the race but we were not aware of today's cabinet reshuffle," said an official of the Jaypee Group, the organisers of the event.
Earlier, there was speculation that actor Hrithik Roshan had been finalised to flag off the race at the Buddh International Circuit.
India's cricketing great Sachin Tendulkar had flagged off India's maiden Formula One race last year.
F1 championship leader Sebastian Vettel roared to pole position at the Indian Grand Prix on Saturday as Red Bull flexed their muscles with a third successive one-two sweep in qualifying.
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, Vettel's closest challenger and six points behind the 25-year-old German with four races remaining including Sunday's Grand Prix, starts fifth.
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