More than fifteen years after its last Grand Prix, India could return to the Formula 1 calendar as early as 2028 at the Buddh International Circuit, benefiting from the Lindblad effect.
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The official recognition of motorsport by Indian authorities could notably help resolve the tax issues that had hastened the disappearance of the event after only three editions.
Formula 1 discovered India in 2011 at the Buddh International Circuit, located in Uttar Pradesh. Sebastian Vettel then dominated the first edition before repeating in 2012 and 2013, thus winning all three Grands Prix held on this track.
Taxes and bureaucracy
Despite a circuit appreciated by drivers for its fast and technical nature, the event quickly encountered significant financial difficulties. Local authorities notably considered F1 as a commercial and entertainment activity rather than a sporting competition in a particularly bureaucratic environment.
This classification led to various taxes, including an entertainment tax, as well as disagreements regarding the taxation of revenues generated by the Grand Prix. These charges were added to already particularly high organization fees for the promoter Jaypee Sports International.
Initially removed from the calendar for the 2014 season in hopes of finding a solution, the Indian Grand Prix ultimately never returned.
A major obstacle now removed
However, the situation has profoundly evolved. The Indian Ministry of Sports has now officially integrated motorsport into its national framework of sports disciplines. This recognition could allow the removal of one of the main tax obstacles that contributed to the disappearance of the Grand Prix and facilitate the arrival of new investors and promoters.
At the same time, the popularity of Formula 1 is experiencing strong growth in the country. The Indian audience is said to have increased from about 60 to 98 million people in three years, while F1 has strengthened its presence in this market through its partnership with FanCode.
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Stefano Domenicali does not hide the sport’s interest in a return: “We have a great interest in returning to India,” admits the head of Formula 1. “We need to find the right promoters, the right collaboration, and the right timing, which will not be in the immediate future.”
Domenicali believes the conditions today are different from those encountered during F1’s first visit to the country: “We were in India many years ago with the Grand Prix, but the market was not mature enough. Now, we need to create the attention, interest, and visibility necessary to possibly return and organize a race there.”
Lindblad, new symbol of Indian interest
This momentum also comes at a time when Arvid Lindblad is gradually establishing himself as one of the most promising young talents in the championship. Born in the UK to a Swedish father and a British-Indian mother, the Racing Bulls driver proudly claims his Indian origins. His maternal grandparents, originally from Punjab, notably played an important role during his early years in motorsport.
“I am very proud of my Indian origins,” Lindblad explains. “My mother is Indian and I am very proud of it. I grew up in the UK, but I have always been very close to my grandparents and truly grew up in Indian culture. It really is part of my life.”
At only 18 years old, Lindblad currently holds 11th place in the championship and has already distinguished himself through his consistency with Racing Bulls.
Between Lindblad’s rise, the spectacular growth of the local audience, and especially the official recognition of motorsport by the authorities, several obstacles that had doomed the first Indian Grand Prix are disappearing. Now remains the task of finding a promoter and a sufficiently solid economic model to turn F1’s interest into a true return to the Buddh International Circuit.
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