Indian government pushing for F1 return after 13-year absence

The Indian government is pushing for Formula 1 to return to the Buddh International Circuit (BIC), which has not held a race since 2013.

The circuit hosted F1 for three consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2013, before the Indian Grand Prix fell off the calendar. All three Indian Grands Prix were won by Sebastian Vettel for Red Bull.

A five-year deal had been signed for India to host F1 from 2011 until at least 2015; however, due to a tax dispute with the Uttar Pradesh government, 2013 proved to be the final Grand Prix.

Now, the Indian government is eager for the pinnacle of motorsport to return, with the owners of the BIC having been urged to hand over the venue to a sports management company.

The government is not requesting this as a permanent move, but rather one for a set number of years to facilitate F1’s return.

According to The Times of India, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met officials from the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) last week, with instructions issued to pursue efforts aimed at completing an F1 return.

"The minister recently visited the F1 track and held discussions with the promoters about when the next race could be held," a ministry source said, as quoted by The Times of India.

"He told the track owners to hand over the facility to a sports management company for two to three years, which will work on the sport’s comeback to India.

"There had been tax issues in the past which prevented hosting F1 races, but they will be resolved soon."

Following the original BIC owners, the Jaypee Group, declaring bankruptcy in June 2024, YEIDA has owned and maintained the circuit.

India is keen for major championships to return before 2030, when it will host the Commonwealth Games, in an effort to strengthen its bid to host the 2036 Olympics.

Since F1’s exit from India, MotoGP has raced at the BIC, although the event has not been held since 2023.

Formula E also raced on a Hyderabad street circuit in 2023, but has yet to return due to further political issues and an ongoing local court case.