NEW DELHI : India is working to resolve long-standing tax and regulatory issues in a bid to bring Formula One back to the Buddh International Circuit in 2028, more than a decade after the country’s Grand Prix was dropped from the calendar.
The Indian Grand Prix made its debut in 2011 but was removed after the 2013 edition following disputes over taxation and regulatory matters.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya recently met stakeholders, including representatives of prospective circuit owner the Adani Group and the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India, and announced plans to establish a task force to support the return of Formula One.
A source in the sports ministry told Reuters that addressing tax and regulatory obstacles would be among the panel’s top priorities.
“The task force will examine the challenges affecting the revival and growth of motorsports in the country, including Formula One, with a specific focus on taxation-related issues, regulatory aspects, infrastructure, and other policy interventions,” the source said.
The panel will include representatives from India’s tax authorities, while the government’s policy think tank has been tasked with coordinating between ministries to streamline the approval process, the source added.
The Adani Group, which is in the process of acquiring the company that previously owned the Buddh International Circuit, did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.
However, Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd, has previously said he was “personally engaged” in efforts to bring Formula One back to India.
Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali said last month the championship remained keen to return to India but cautioned that several issues still needed to be resolved.
“There are the right things that we need to do – to again find back the right promoters, the right collaboration and the right timing, which will not be in the very short term,” Domenicali told Indian broadcaster FanCode.
