India Forms Task Force for Possible 2028 F1 Return
India Forms Task Force for Possible 2028 F1 Return
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Key Points
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Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya publicly announced the task force, which is described as a 10-member committee. Joint Secretary (Sports) Kunal and FMSCI President Arindam Ghosh are among the identified members; FMSCI elections were scheduled for later in September.
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Beyond the governments and ministries named in the summary, the task force includes representatives of both the Buddh International Circuit and Madras International Circuit, as well as the FMSCI secretary general and a technical expert nominated by the federation.
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The government’s interest in a return to the Buddh International Circuit follows a visit there by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya earlier in 2026, signaling official interest in reviving the Indian Grand Prix at the Greater Noida venue.
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The panel can co-opt additional members at the chairperson’s discretion, allowing it to bring in further expertise as its feasibility and policy work develops.
India is making a serious push to bring Formula One racing back after a 15-year absence. Sports Ministry announced a new task force that will study whether the country can host an F1 Grand Prix by 2028, nearly a decade after the sport's last Indian race ended in 2013 due to tax and regulatory problems.
The 10-member panel, led by NITI Aayog's Yugal Kishore Joshi, will tackle tough issues like taxation and infrastructure. Tribune India reports the task force includes officials from two racing circuits and the national motorsports federation, signaling broad government commitment to reviving the Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit near Delhi.
Why India Stopped Hosting F1 in 2013
India last held a Formula One race in 2013 at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida. ANI News explains the event was discontinued after just three years due to complex tax issues and bureaucratic red tape that made the race economically difficult to run. The circuit sits about 40 kilometers from Delhi.
The new task force will directly address what killed the previous Grand Prix. Newsable reports the panel will examine taxation barriers, regulatory hurdles, and operational challenges to determine if these problems can finally be solved. This signals India sees the 2028 timeline as realistic.
Government's Detailed Investigation Plan
The task force has a wide scope beyond just approving a race. The Hindu Sportstar notes the panel will develop a national motorsports policy, design public-private partnership models, and evaluate the broader economic benefits for tourism and investment. Officials want to understand F1's full impact on India's image abroad.
Key members include Joint Secretary of Sports Kunal and the head of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India. Tribune India reports the committee can add more members as needed, allowing experts in infrastructure, finance, or tourism to join as work progresses. The panel can adapt based on what it learns.
Multiple Venues and State Support Under Consideration
The Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida is the leading candidate to host India's F1 return. ANI News notes the task force also includes representatives from the Madras International Circuit in Tamil Nadu, suggesting multiple states want to compete for hosting rights. This gives the government options if one venue cannot work out.
Indulge Express reports that Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya visited the Buddh Circuit earlier this year, signaling strong official interest in reviving the Indian Grand Prix there. Both Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra state governments have representatives on the task force, showing they view an F1 race as a major economic opportunity for their regions.
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