Will F1 return to India? Sports Ministry pushes for comeback

India is making renewed efforts to bring Formula 1 back to the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, nearly thirteen years after the Indian Grand Prix was last held. The Sports Ministry has initiated high-level discussions with circuit authorities and stakeholders about reviving the iconic race, signalling a strong government push to restore the country’s place on the global motorsport calendar .

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya recently visited the circuit and met with officials from the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) , which assumed control of the facility from the now-insolvent Jaypee Group . The minister is understood to have urged the owners to transfer operational control to a professional sports management organisation for two to three years to focus on bringing Formula 1 back to India. The central government’s active engagement reflects its intent to resolve long-standing barriers to hosting the event.

The Indian Grand Prix was staged at Buddh International Circuit from 2011 to 2013 , attracting large crowds and global attention. It was abruptly discontinued after 2013 because of disputes over taxation and regulatory classification. Authorities had treated Formula 1 as an entertainment event rather than a sport, making the promoters liable for steep entertainment and luxury taxes and complicating efforts to secure tax incentives. High customs duties on imported racing equipment and bureaucratic hurdles further inflated costs for teams and organisers, making the race financially unsustainable.

Despite these historical setbacks, sources suggest that the government and Formula 1 Management are now in dialogue about overcoming those issues and securing a potential return date, although no official calendar slot has yet been announced. India’s position on the crowded F1 calendar, which featured a record 24 races in 2025, will remain a key consideration, and Formula 1’s commercial rights holders will need convincing that the country can offer both commercial value and long-term commitment.

Hosting a Grand Prix remains a costly endeavour, with annual hosting fees alone estimated between USD 20 million and USD 60 million (approximately ₹166 crore to ₹498 crore) . Several existing races, especially in the Middle East, benefit from substantial government subsidies. India’s advantage lies in already possessing a FIA Grade 1‑capable facility in Greater Noida, a world-class track designed by renowned architect Hermann Tilke.

Beyond Formula 1, the circuit has intermittently hosted global motorsport events. In 2023, the Buddh International Circuit held its first MotoGP race, marking India’s debut on the motorcycle racing world championship stage, though that event has faced scheduling and operational challenges thereafter. Delegations from other international motorsport organisations, including Japan’s Super Formula series, have also inspected the facility, indicating broader interest in reviving global racing activity at the venue.

While the revival has received support from the government and motorsport promoters, opposition leaders have raised concerns over the initiative. Some have questioned whether public land should be allocated for what they describe as an “elite sport” rather than being left to commercial investment. Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari criticised land acquisition for such projects , arguing that promoters should bear the cost commercially instead of relying on government allotments. Other commentators have highlighted past mistakes, noting that previous tax and regulatory hurdles must be fully addressed to ensure the race’s sustainability.

Reviving the Indian Grand Prix will require concerted effort and alignment among the central and state governments, the circuit’s operators, commercial rights holders, and international governing bodies. But with sustained dialogue and strategic engagement, India could once again host one of the most prestigious spectacles in international motorsport .