Formula 1 News: India explores Formula 1 return at Buddh circuit, New Tilke track on backburner

(GMM) A Formula 1 source has dismissed claims that the sport will return to India as early as 2027, despite fresh optimism from government officials.

Earlier this week, India’s sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya declared: “There will be an F1 race in India in 2027. This will happen 100 percent.

“The first race will be held at the Buddh International Circuit.”

He added that tax reforms and government support would help make a comeback viable.

But a source close to Formula 1 has now firmly contradicted that timeline.

“Although India is a very valuable market for the continued growth of Formula 1, with an incredibly passionate fanbase, we will not be racing there in 2027,” the source is quoted as saying by Soy Motor and other outlets.

“Interest in hosting Formula 1 races has never been higher, and the number of places on the calendar is limited.”

India hosted grand prixs between 2011 and 2013 at the Buddh circuit, before a combination of tax disputes and financial difficulties forced its exit.

While the country has since re-emerged as a potential long-term target – with MotoGP also briefly returning in 2023 – Formula 1 appears to be taking a more cautious approach to any comeback.

The speculation comes as Alpine driver Pierre Gasly recently suggested to Canal Plus that the calendar is likely to swell to 25 grands prix from 2027.

April 13, 2026

On April 13, 2026, India’s Sports Ministry reignited hopes of bringing Formula 1 back to the country after a 13-year absence. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced aggressive efforts to host a Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida as early as the 2027 season.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The iconic 5.125 km track, which hosted thrilling races from 2011 to 2013 (all won by Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel), has sat largely silent since. Now, with global disruptions creating openings and a major corporate player stepping in, the government is optimistic. But F1 insiders are pouring cold water on a 2027 return.

A Familiar Circuit, Fresh Momentum

The Buddh International Circuit remains one of Asia’s finest modern tracks — a flowing layout blending high-speed straights with technical corners that once drew massive crowds and global acclaim.

Ownership has been the biggest roadblock. The debt-ridden Jaypee Group, which built the circuit, has struggled financially. Enter the Adani Group: it is in the process of acquiring Jaypee’s assets, including the BIC, and has openly expressed interest in reviving F1 racing in India. This private-sector involvement could finally provide the stable ownership and investment the venue has lacked.

Minister Mandaviya was unequivocal in today’s press briefing: “We will have an F1 race in India very soon. The target is to get a race at the Buddha International Circuit in next three to six months.” He added that paperwork and tax resolutions would take another six months — positioning India for the 2027 calendar.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya (pictured in F1 branding) has made the return of the sport a personal priority.

Fixing the 2013 Tax Nightmare

The original Indian Grand Prix ended abruptly after 2013 primarily because of punitive taxes. Organizers faced massive “entertainment tax” demands (treated as entertainment rather than sport), court battles, and deductions at source that made the event financially unsustainable. Mandaviya promised decisive action: either full tax removal or reimbursement to organizers to make hosting viable.

The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) is already in direct talks with Formula One Management, with the Sports Ministry playing facilitator.

Global Chaos Opens a Door for India

Timing may be India’s biggest ally. The ongoing Iran conflict has forced the cancellation of the 2026 Saudi and Bahrain Grands Prix, shrinking the calendar and leaving slots potentially open. Mandaviya noted that three companies have already approached the ministry seeking to host motorsport events, calling India a “safe and viable venue.”

India’s enormous fanbase — passionate, young, and digitally engaged — has long been on F1’s radar as a growth market.

The Reality Check: “2027 Is Highly Unlikely”

Within hours of Mandaviya’s statements, a contrasting report from F1 circles poured cold water on the timeline. A source close to the championship told PTI (via News18): “2027 is highly unlikely, but India is a market of interest. We have many amazing fans in the country but we are not close to an agreement.”

Key barriers remain:

– **Packed calendar**: Even after the Middle East cancellations, the 2026 season is still running 22 races. Long-term contracts with existing promoters make adding new venues extremely difficult.
– **High cost**: Hosting an F1 weekend typically runs ₹180–560 crore ($22–67 million) annually — a massive outlay requiring guaranteed returns.
– **Track record**: India has struggled to sustain big-ticket motorsport. The 2023 Bharat MotoGP was a one-off due to operational issues, and Hyderabad’s Formula E race was dropped after a state government change.

Talks are described as preliminary, with no firm commercial agreement in sight.

What Happens Next?

For India to join the grid in 2027, several pieces must fall perfectly into place:
1. Adani Group finalizes BIC acquisition and commits funding.
2. Government delivers iron-clad tax relief and regulatory support.
3. FMSCI and F1 Management reach a commercial deal that works for both sides.
4. Liberty Media sees a viable long-term business case beyond the current 22–24 race limit.

Realistically, 2028 or even later looks more probable if momentum continues. But the government’s proactive stance—combined with private investment and geopolitical opportunity—has undeniably moved the needle.

India last tasted F1 glory more than a decade ago. The engines went quiet, but the passion never died. Whether 2027 or beyond, the dream of roaring V6 hybrids around Greater Noida is alive again. For millions of Indian fans, that alone is worth celebrating.

February 5, 2026

In a significant shift for Formula 1’s prospects in India, the focus has moved from ambitious plans for a new track in Gujarat’s GIFT City to reviving the established Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida (pictured) . Originally reported in March 2024, the proposal for a new Hermann Tilke-designed circuit in GIFT City has reportedly stalled due to structural and layout challenges that made it difficult to meet F1 standards.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Despite initial enthusiasm, including a consortium led by Tilke scoring 98% in evaluations by the Sports Authority of Gujarat, no further progress has been made on the project since mid-2024.

Now, more than a decade after the last Indian Grand Prix in 2013, the Indian government is intensifying efforts to bring F1 back to the BIC. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya recently visited the circuit, meeting with officials from the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), which owns and operates the FIA Grade 1 facility. This visit signals a strong push to resolve the tax disputes, bureaucratic hurdles, and “unnecessary red tape” that led to the event’s suspension after just three seasons.

Race winner and 2013 Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel (2nd right) of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing is lifted up by second placed Nico Rosberg (2nd left) of Germany and Mercedes GP, third placed Romain Grosjean (right) of France and Lotus and Infiniti Red Bull Racing Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey (left) following the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at Buddh International Circuit on October 27, 2013 in Noida, India. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images for Red Bull)

Sources from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) indicate that Mandaviya has encouraged handing over the organization of the Formula 1 race to a professional event management company for 2-3 years while legal matters, including an ongoing court case related to the Indian Grand Prix, are resolved. A Japanese company has expressed interest in hosting the event, potentially accelerating the revival. Additionally, the Adani Group’s potential acquisition of the troubled Jaypee Group could further momentum, as YEIDA took over the circuit after Jaypee’s bankruptcy in 2024.

The BIC hosted the Indian Grand Prix from 2011 to 2013, with Sebastian Vettel dominating all three races for Red Bull Racing. The inaugural event on October 30, 2011, marked India’s entry into F1 as the 17th round of that season. However, tax issues and operational challenges led to its removal from the calendar. In recent years, the circuit has seen limited action, including a MotoGP round in September 2023, which was subsequently dropped from the 2024 calendar and postponed to early 2025 due to operational considerations.

Discussions are already underway between the government, Formula 1 Management, and other stakeholders to explore a return, though no specific date has been added to the F1 calendar yet. This revival effort aligns with India’s broader ambitions in global sports, including hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and bidding for the 2036 Olympics.

While the GIFT City project appears dormant, the renewed focus on BIC offers a more feasible path forward, leveraging an existing world-class facility. AutoRacing1.com will continue to monitor developments as India aims to rejoin the F1 grid.

March 11, 2024

German Formula 1 racetrack designer Tilke is bidding to design a new F1 track in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) in India.

A consortium of German Formula 1 racetrack designer Tilke, real estate consultancy company CBRE and architecture firm Arcop ranked the highest on a list of six international consultants who are competing for designing a F1 racetrack in Gujarat’s GIFT City that could position the financial center also as an international sporting destination, according to people in the know.

Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) is a central business district under construction in the Ahmedabad district in Gujarat, India. It is India’s first operational greenfield smart city and international financial services center, which the Government of Gujarat promoted as a greenfield project.

The Tilke-led consortium scored 98% marks in an evaluation conducted by Sports Authority of Gujarat during March 7-8 and is likely to be granted the work order to develop a design for the F1 track, the people said.

British designer Clive Bowen’s consortium with KPMG came in second with a score of 91%. The other bidders included a consortium led by Ahetesham Khan of Nangia Andersen with Italian track designer Jarno Zaffelli and Isha Rathee-led Populous Design that bid solo. International architecture firms Collage Design and Cox Architects and DAR Consultants were also among the bidders.

Tilke did not respond to ET’s queries. ET – Economic Times of India