WILL IT BE VROOM AGAIN? Vettel racing at the Budh circuit during his Indian GP victory in 2012 New Delhi: India has renewed its push to bring Formula One racing back to the country after a 13-year hiatus, with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday expressing confidence that the premier motoring event could return as early as 2027.“In 2027, India will host an F1 race at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC). The government will help with tax relief. Due to the global situation due to the ongoing war, India is considered a safe and viable place for sporting events, including F1. We plan to host a Moto GP race before F1 returns. It will take another six months to work out the terms of Mandaviya.”However, the optimism is not entirely in line with the current stance of the sport’s global governing body, the FIA, which oversees the regulations, safety and technical rules of racing. In a brief statement, the FIA noted: “While India is a valuable market, we will not be racing there in 2027.”The FIA’s statement pointed to the complexities involved in organizing races. F1 is jointly managed by the FIA and Liberty Media, which handles commercial rights and promotion. Any return would require alignment between both entities and local stakeholders.Despite the FIA’s current reluctance, there is a potential opening. F1’s tentative 2027 calendar lists 23 races – one less than the traditional 24 – leaving a vacancy that could be filled if geopolitical or logistical disruption affects other venues.Vicky Chandhok, a board member of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), said that due to the need for track upgrades and negotiations, it would take several years for India to host an F1 race. According to Chandhok, wherever these races are held, the rights fee paid by the host country matters. “Monaco may only pay $10 million. Britain may pay $28 million. Saudi Arabia may pay $80 million. India may have to pay $40 million.”Backchannel discussions continue and while 2027 remains uncertain, insiders suggest 2028 or 2029 may be more realistic targets for F1’s long-awaited return to India. At the center of the proposed revival is the BIC in Greater Noida, which previously hosted the Indian Grand Prix (GP) in 2011-2013. The event was suspended due to tax disputes and bureaucratic challenges after the authorities classified it as “entertainment”, leading to a heavy financial burden.
