Sports Minister announces Task Force to review revival of F1 in India

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. File. | Photo credit: PTI

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday (September 15, 2026) announced a task force to assess the challenges and feasibility of reviving Formula One in the country under the leadership of Program Director Niti Aayog and Advisor Yugal Kishore Joshi.

The 10-member committee includes the FMSCI (Federation of Motor Sports of India) president as well as joint secretary (sports) Kunal, who is currently Arindam Ghosh with elections to be held during the AGM later in the month.

The task force also has representation from the Ministry of Tourism and Commerce, among others, and will include representatives from the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.

“The terms of reference of this committee propose comprehensive ways for the sustainable growth of motor sport in India, a holistic coordinated plan to revive Formula 1 so that we can host the race in 2028.”

“It will also conduct a detailed assessment of the challenges that would arise in the way of revival of motor sports and identify the policy interventions that would be required for this,” Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in a media interaction in New Delhi.

Apart from Mr. Joshi and Mr. Kunal, no other names were revealed by the minister.

India last hosted a Formula 1 race in 2013, after which it was canceled due to bureaucratic and tax issues. It was held at Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida. The circuit’s new owners, the Adani Group, will also have a seat at the table.

Mr. Mandaviya said the task force would look into taxation-related aspects as it would include names from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).

“Tax issues will be considered along with options related to public-private partnership (PPP) models,” he said.

Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali acknowledged the huge interest in India but refrained from giving a timetable for the race’s return, saying it would require the right investment and people to make the plan work.

According to a Formula One statement in December last year, the sport’s fan base in India stood at 98 million.

Organizing a Grand Prix involves huge financial costs, with local promoters paying anywhere between $20-60 million as an annual fee to host Formula 1. In addition, there are significant costs in logistics, infrastructure and security.

Formula 1 is spoiled for choice when it comes to the countries that want to host this mega event. Given this, India will have to roll out the red carpet for Formula 1 and its other stakeholders.

Published – 15 Sep 2026 16:17 IST