- Sports Minister Mandaviya claims Formula 1 will return to India in 2027.
- F1 officials deny 2027 return citing calendar constraints and logistical hurdles.
- Adani’s circuit acquisition faces legal challenges from Vedanta amid F1 rumours.
Mansukh Mandaviya, India’s Sports Minister, recently made a shocking claim that F1 would return to the Buddh International Circuit in 2027. However, the sport has denied that it will return next year, highlighting that though the market has potential, there are limited spaces on the calendar. Therefore, it won’t return next year, but it hasn’t entirely ruled out the possibility for the future.
The first F1 race was hosted on the Buddh International Circuit back-to-back from 2011 to 2013. The legend, Sebastian Vettel, was the only driver to win all three races. After 2023, the sport left India due to higher taxes, financial losses, and a dispute with the government. Although the sport said goodbye to the nation back then, the passion and spirit for it still run high among Indian audiences.
The best example of the F1 frenzy would be during the Red Bull Moto Jam, held at the India Expo Centre, Noida, in March 2026, when the crowd showed up in large numbers. At the time, the Indian-heritage driver Arvid Lindblad also drove Sebastian Vettel’s RB8 there.
What did the Indian Sports Minister say about F1’s return?
Mandaviya’s recent address to the media is where he confidently claimed that they are bringing back F1 to Buddh International Circuit next year. He mentioned that they will try to sort out all the issues which have earlier led the sport to leave the nation.
“It will take another six months to work out the modalities. The government will help in getting the tax relaxations that had become a bone of contention so that it is a viable venture for the organisers,” he said. This isn’t the first time the return of F1 India has been talked about, as there has been chatter around it for a long time.
However, a glimmer of hope did emerge earlier this year among fans when Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ Limited, announced the takeover of debt-laden Jaypee Group, whose deal will also include the acquisition of the Buddh International Circuit.
He said in the event, “I’m very excited… obviously the Buddh circuit comes (as) part of the deal. I’m very personally driving it, and I’m personally engaged in terms of bringing Formula 1 back into India. I think India has a lot of potential. There’s a lot of following in Formula 1 from India.”
Legal disputes have recently emerged, with Vedanta Limited, led by Anil Agarwal, who demanded to halt the acquisition. This is because he’s fighting against the lenders’ panel decision to hand over the company’s assets to Adani Group. Therefore, the dispute is now in court, and it may take some time to be resolved, potentially delaying Adani’s vision.
F1 debunks Indian Minister’s bold claims
F1 issued a statement setting the record straight that the sport is not returning to India while acknowledging its growing demand in the country. “While India is a valuable market for Formula 1’s continued growth with an amazing, passionate fanbase, we won’t be racing there in 2027.” Sharing that the calendar has already been planned for next year, they added, “Interest in hosting Formula 1 events has never been stronger, and there is a limited number of spaces on the calendar.”
It remains to be seen whether Adani’s F1 project ever materialises and makes fans happy about the sport’s return to the country.
