Senior officials at the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) have revealed talks were on to reintroduce F1 at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in 2025. YEIDA CEO Arun Vir Singh confirmed that efforts to bring F1 back were underway. He stated that discussions with its organizers are likely to take place soon. He also said that Singh said it would be a “significant achievement” if both events (MotoGP and Formula One) were held at BIC annually.
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To give you a little bit of context, the F1 Indian Grand Prix race was a part of the FIA Formula One World Championship calendar for three consecutive years – 2011, 2012 and 2013. After a one year hiatus, the Indian Grand Prix was expected to return on the 2015 calendar, however, was cancelled for the second year following tax disputes between the FIA and the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav at the time.
The Akhilesh Yadav government in 2013 approached the Supreme Court seeking its permission to withdraw the June 27, 2011 decision of the then UP government headed by Mayawati granting exemption to Jaypee Group from entertainment tax for Formula One. Yadav’s government claimed that F1 is not a sporting event, but an entertainment event and has a lack of impact on the development of sports in the country. Hence, the government sought that Jaypee Group be directed to pay entire amount of entertainment tax due for the 2011 F1 Indian Grand Prix.
The apex court on October 21, 2011 had directed Jaypee Sports to deposit within two weeks “in a Non-Lien Account the amount of entertainment tax payable in terms of Section 3 of the UP Entertainment and Betting Tax Act, 1979, without taking into consideration the impugned exemption notification”. Jaypee deposited a little over Rs 24 crores at the time.
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While the inaugural event was a success, the following two editions saw footfall nosediving, bringing down the revenue as well. To make matters worse, Jaypee Sports got involved in tax issues, making it even difficult for them to pay the annual license fee to Formula One organisers. In the end, the Buddh International Circuit had to be closed down, with Formula 1’s return to India looking like a dream.
Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton had revealed in an interview that he felt “conflicted’ attending the F1 Indian Grand Prix race. In 2018, the British racing driver clarified his original comment, stating that “it felt strange to drive past homeless people and then arrive in a huge arena where money was not an issue.” Hamilton added that hundreds of millions were spent on the BIC track that is now not being used, and instead, the money could have been spent for those in need. He also claimed a disinterest for the motorsport at the time that the F1 Indian GP was held.
A decade later, Formula One’s fan following in India seems to be growing by the day in the age of growing technology. Documentaries, OTT shows, and social media presence of the motorsport have all contributed towards a growing F1 fan base in the country. The success of India’s first ever MotoGP event is a further testament of the government’s unwavered support to such events. “As we celebrate the champions & their bright futures, we’re committed to nurturing talent & promoting sportsmanship in UP,” said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after the race.
That said, the calendar for the 2024 Formula One season was announced back in July 2023 itself. 2025 still seems too optimistic to be fair, however, the fruitful execution of MotoGP in the coming years could convince Formula 1 and World Motor Sport Council to reconsider returning to India in a few years’ time. For 2024, MotoGP has included Grand Prix of India in its provisional calendar, however, a confirmation will only come in a few weeks by the end of next month or in November.
Do you want the Indian Grand Prix to be a part of the Formula One calendar in the coming years? Let us know in the comments down below.