An unnamed Formula 1 insider has given a “100%” verdict on the prospect of the Indian Grand Prix returning to the calendar, according to reporting published by GPToday.
The headline suggests the insider expressed certainty about the race’s status, though the direction of that certainty — whether confirming the race will return or will not return — is not specified in available reporting.
India’s Formula 1 History
The Indian Grand Prix ran for three consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2013 at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Sebastian Vettel won all three races for Red Bull Racing, with the final edition on October 27, 2013, drawing a three-day attendance of approximately 95,000 spectators.
The race was dropped from the calendar after 2013 due to disputes over tax classification of the event, with Indian authorities treating it as entertainment rather than sport, resulting in significantly higher tax burdens for the promoter. The circuit’s operating license was suspended in 2014, and the facility has not hosted a major international motorsport event since.
Recent Calendar Developments
Formula 1 has expanded its calendar significantly since India’s last race, adding multiple events including the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (2021), Miami Grand Prix (2022), Las Vegas Grand Prix (2023), and Madrid Grand Prix (scheduled for 2026). The 2026 calendar includes 24 races, matching the record set in 2023.
Stefano Domenicali, F1 CEO since 2021, has stated the championship receives interest from more potential host cities than available calendar slots. Any return of the Indian Grand Prix would require either replacing an existing race or expanding the calendar beyond 24 events, which would require unanimous agreement from all ten teams under the existing Concorde Agreement that runs through 2030.
Commercial and Political Context
India represents a market of 1.4 billion people, though Formula 1’s television viewership in the country has remained modest compared to cricket. The sport’s commercial rights holder Liberty Media has prioritized expansion into large untapped markets, particularly in the United States, where three races now run annually.
The Buddh International Circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke and cost approximately $400 million to construct. The facility has been used sporadically for domestic motorsport events and driver training programs since 2014, but its long-term viability as a commercial venue remains uncertain without international racing returning.
Formula 1 has not commented officially on negotiations with Indian authorities or promoters. The 2027 provisional calendar, which teams receive in draft form by June 2026, would provide the first concrete indication of whether India will return to the schedule.