UNION SPORTS MINISTER Mansukh Mandaviya has expressed confidence that Formula One could return to the country by 2027, with the government working to resolve the issues that led to the sport’s exit over a decade ago.
“There will be an F1 race in India in 2027. First race will be at Buddh International Circuit,” Mandaviya told the media on Monday.
While Mandaviya’s intent cannot be faulted, a 2027 return of F1 to India is highly unlikely because of the short time frame that this ambition is operating under.
Be that as it may, Mandaviya asserts that efforts are already underway to bring a race back to the Buddh International Circuit (BIC), which hosted the Indian Grand Prix between 2011 and 2013.
“It will take another six months to work out the modalities. The government will help in getting the tax relaxations that had become a bone of contention so that it is a viable venture for the organisers,” he added.
The Indian Grand Prix was dropped after 2013 due to a combination of tax complications and bureaucratic hurdles, which made hosting the race financially unviable. Mandaviya indicated that those concerns are now being addressed at multiple levels.
The minister also revealed that at least three companies have shown interest in operating the circuit, while the government is ready to play a facilitating role in making the project attractive.
Potential ownership change: The Adani Group is set to acquire the assets of the debt-ridden Jaypee Group, which may include taking over the BIC to facilitate the return.
Mandaviya pointed out that the government is working on easing financial and logistical barriers, including potential tax relaxations and infrastructure support, to make hosting viable for organisers.
He also suggested that India could host a MotoGP event as a stepping stone before F1’s return, with discussions already underway between the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India and Liberty-owned Formula One Management (FOM).
Reality check
As already stated, for the return of F1 to India there are multiple boxes that need to be ticked off, the most basic being a an already packed calendar. The sport’s growing global footprint has made securing a slot on the calendar increasingly difficult. With a record 24-race schedule and several countries vying to host races, F1 has limited room for expansion. India and South Africa are currently bidding to return to the calendar by 2027–2028.
An advantage that India has of course is that it already has a circuit in BIC that has hosted F1 races before. So as far as infrastructure investment is concerned, the principal requirement would be upgrading existing infrastructure to Grade 1 standards.
FIA Grade 1 Certification: The highest safety and infrastructure standard required to host an F1 race.
Long-Term financial guarantees: F1 contracts typically run for three to ten years, necessitating long-term financial stability. Hosting fees range from $20 million to $60m annually, often with an escalator clause (rising over the contract duration). For FOM, cast-iron guarantees that the Indian government will perforce have to give would be a prerequisite for India’s bid to be taken seriously.
Seen from this perch therefore, a return to the calendar by 2027–2028 appears overly optimistic. Maybe 2029-2030?
