The Union Sports Ministry is keen to bring Formula 1 back to the Buddh International Circuit in the near future and has already initiated dialogues with the track authorities to revive the race last held in India in 2013.
According to a ministry source, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has already visited the circuit in Greater Noida and held talks with officials from Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority, the state-run body which took control of the facility from the owners, the now bankrupt Jaypee Group.
Adani is in fray to buy the troubled Jaypee Group and once that happens, the whole process of trying to get the race back in India may gain momentum. What is clear for now is that the Central government wants the high-profile sport to return to the country.
The India round was held for three seasons from 2011 to 2013 before being dropped from the Formula 1 calendar due to tax and bureaucratic issues. “The minister went to see the F1 track in Greater Noida recently and held discussions with promoters about when latest the race can be restarted. He has told the track owners to hand over the track to any sports management company for two-three years, who will work on the sport’s comeback to India,” the official said.
“Tax issue is there in hosting F1, but this will be resolved soon. The minister has told the promoters to restart F1 as soon as possible,” the source said.
Former chief of Indian motorsport federation FMSCI and member of the current council, Vicky Chandhok, played a part in bringing Formula 1 to India back in 2011. He said the Central government showing interest in the sport is a step in the right direction.
“It’s great to see a proactive government represented by our sports minister showing renewed interest in motorsport and Formula 1. Having been involved in every aspect of the BIC build-up and in bringing F1 to India for three years, I would be only too happy to dedicate all my time and effort to see it happen again,” Chandhok said.
However, it would take a concerted effort from all stakeholders to bring Formula 1 back to India. Already dealing with a record 24-race calendar and the growing interest from countries to host the globally followed event, Formula 1 is spoilt for choice when it comes to awarding races. Insane costs are involved in hosting a Formula 1 race, ranging from USD 20 million to USD 60 million annually.
A substantial chunk of the races on the existing calendar are bankrolled by the government, especially in the oil-rich Middle East. What works in favour of India is that it already has a world-class racing facility like the Buddh International Circuit. The three races in India in the previous decade had drawn massive crowds before fading into darkness due to red tape and taxation hurdles.
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