Amid a renewed push to bring F1 back to India, sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya recently told the media that the race could return as soon as 2027. “There will be an F1 race in India in 2027,” Mandaviya said, adding that at least three companies have shown interest in operating the Buddh International Circuit (BIC).
However, F1 media has confirmed to Autocar India that this timeline is not realistic. “While India remains a key market for Formula 1’s continued growth, with an amazing, passionate fanbase, we won’t be racing there in 2027. Organising and delivering races are complex matters that take time,” the official statement said.
- F1 says India is a key market but rules out 2027 return
- UP government has signed an MoU to bring MotoGP, ARRC to BIC
Renewed push for F1, MotoGP India return
No Indian GP in 2027. “Organising and delivering races is a complex process that takes time,” says F1
BIC hosted the F1 Indian GP from 2011 to 2013. The track and its facilities drew praise from the F1 community at large, but the race was dropped from the calendar mainly due to the Uttar Pradesh government’s taxation policy at the time, which classified F1 as entertainment rather than sport.
Speaking to the media, Mandaviya shared that the government is working to make India a viable host country for international racing. “For instance, if the entertainment tax cannot be altogether repealed, we will try to ensure that reimbursements are provided to incentivise the project for the organisers. Discussions are ongoing on this issue. It is an interministerial matter, and we are trying our best to make it attractive for Formula 1,” he said.
Moreover, Adani Group, which is currently in the running to acquire BIC, also recently confirmed that it is actively exploring plans to revive the Indian GP.
Some positive steps have been taken. The Uttar Pradesh government’s State Transformation Commission recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AVW Global to bring MotoGP back to the BIC. Plans are also underway to bring the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) to the venue as early as this year itself.
Even so, significant challenges remain, and there’s still a long way to go for F1 to return to India. With F1’s popularity skyrocketing, hosting fees climbed sharply and now reportedly range from $70 million to $150 million per race. Combined with intense competition for limited calendar slots, this makes securing a return of the Indian GP a complex and long-term prospect rather than an immediate one.