India is gearing up for the return of Formula 1, with the government setting an ambitious target to host a race before 2027, nearly 13 years after the country last featured on the global motorsport calendar.
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Monday that preparations are already in motion, with key issues that previously hindered the event now being addressed.
"Preparations are underway for the return of Formula One (F1) to India after a gap of nearly 13 years. Issues related to the track have been resolved, and the work is expected to be completed within the next six months. The goal is to host an F1 race in India again before 2027," he said during an informal interaction with the media.
The focus of the revival is the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, the country's only Formula 1-grade venue. Once seen as a symbol of India's arrival on the global motorsports stage, the circuit hosted the Indian Grand Prix from 2011 to 2013. All three races were won by Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull Racing, during a dominant phase in the sport.
Despite early promise and strong reception from drivers and fans, the event was discontinued after 2013 due to a mix of taxation disputes, high operational costs and bureaucratic challenges. The race was initially suspended in 2014 before being dropped from the calendar altogether, leaving India without a place in top-tier international motorsport.
Now, with infrastructure concerns reportedly being resolved and timelines set for completion within six months, the government appears keen to avoid past pitfalls. The push to bring back Formula 1 is also part of a broader effort to expand India's presence in global sporting events and strengthen its sports ecosystem.
Mandaviya indicated that plans extend beyond Formula 1, with efforts underway to attract events such as MotoGP to India as well. The larger vision, he said, is to create more opportunities for Indian athletes and inspire greater participation in sports across the country.
With IANS inputs