Formula 1 could make a return to India after more than a decade, with the Union Sports Ministry initiating discussions to revive the Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida.
According to ministry sources, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya recently visited the FIA Grade 1 circuit and held meetings with officials from the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), which currently owns and operates the facility following the bankruptcy of the Jaypee Group in 2024.
“The minister went to see the F1 track in Greater Noida and held discussions with promoters about when the race could be restarted. He has asked the track owners to consider handing over the circuit to a professional sports management company for two to three years to work on bringing Formula 1 back to India,” a source told PTI.
The Indian Grand Prix was held at the Buddh International Circuit for three seasons from 2011 to 2013 before being dropped from the Formula 1 calendar due to taxation and bureaucratic issues. At the time, the Uttar Pradesh government had classified Formula 1 as “entertainment” rather than a sport, leading to higher taxes and import duties on teams and organisers.
Ministry sources indicated that the government is now working towards resolving the taxation issues that previously made the event financially unviable.
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“Tax issues remain a challenge, but these will be addressed. The minister has conveyed that efforts should be made to restart Formula 1 as soon as possible,” the source added.
The Buddh International Circuit remains a world-class racing venue and continues to hold FIA Grade 1 certification.
Former president of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) and current council member Vicky Chandhok, who played a key role in bringing Formula 1 to India in 2011, welcomed the government’s renewed interest.
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“It’s encouraging to see a proactive approach from the sports minister and the central government towards motorsport and Formula 1. Having been involved in every aspect of the Buddh International Circuit and the Indian Grand Prix, I would be happy to contribute in any way to help bring the race back,” Chandhok said.
Formula 1 currently runs a 24-race calendar and faces strong demand from countries keen to host races, many of which are heavily backed by government funding. Hosting an F1 race can cost between USD 20 million and USD 60 million annually.
The Sports Ministry’s direct involvement has raised fresh hopes of seeing the Indian Grand Prix back on the Formula 1 calendar after a gap of more than ten years.
