Formula 1 could eventually make a return to India, but the championship’s leadership has indicated that any comeback remains a long-term prospect rather than an immediate possibility.
Speaking to Indian broadcaster FanCode, Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali acknowledged the growing interest in bringing the sport back to the country. However, he stressed that several key elements must fall into place before a race can be added to the calendar.
According to Domenicali, Formula 1 is keen on re-establishing its presence in India, but factors such as securing suitable promoters, obtaining stakeholder support and ensuring the right commercial framework are critical before any plans can move forward. He suggested that a realistic timeline would be closer to five years rather than the near future.
The comments come amid renewed discussions around motorsport’s future in India. Reports have indicated that the Adani Group is exploring the possibility of acquiring the Buddh International Circuit (BIC), while government representatives have also expressed interest in bringing Formula 1 back to the country.
Earlier this year, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya suggested that an Indian Grand Prix could potentially return by 2027. However, Formula 1 officials have previously indicated that such a timeline may be difficult to achieve given the complexities involved in organising a modern Grand Prix event.
India last hosted Formula 1 races at the Buddh International Circuit between 2011 and 2013. While the circuit received positive feedback from teams and drivers, the event was eventually dropped from the calendar due to a combination of financial and regulatory challenges.
Domenicali emphasised that any future Indian Grand Prix would require strong support from investors, promoters and government stakeholders. He noted that Formula 1 views India as an important market, but believes any return should be built on a sustainable foundation rather than being rushed.
There are signs of renewed motorsport activity at the Buddh International Circuit. The Uttar Pradesh government’s State Transformation Commission recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with AVW Global aimed at bringing MotoGP back to the venue. Plans to host rounds of the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) have also been discussed.
Despite these developments, Formula 1 faces additional challenges. Hosting fees for Grand Prix events have increased significantly over the past decade, while the championship calendar has become increasingly crowded. Several established venues around the world are already sharing race slots on a rotational basis due to limited space on the schedule.
As a result, while interest in reviving the Indian Grand Prix appears to be growing, significant commercial, logistical and infrastructure-related hurdles remain before Formula 1 can realistically return to the country.