It has been over a 13 years since the last Indian Grand Prix roared through the Buddh International Circuit in 2013. Earlier on Monday the Sports Minister indicated that Formula One would return to India in 2027, with MotoGP arriving even sooner. But the road back to the grid isn’t as smooth as the Buddh International circuit. Infact it is far more complex. At the heart of the optimism is a renewed governmental push to reposition motorsport within India’s sporting ecosystem. Former FMSCI President Vicky Chandok, who has been a key figure in India’s Formula One ambitions, struck a hopeful note. 

He said,” We have met the minister a few times and for the first time I saw a minister who was very clear that his government wants to bring MotoGP and Formula One back to India. India prides itself on being a technologically advanced nation and F1 is the most technically advanced sport.”

This signifies a shift from the lack of institutional backing in the early 2010s. Back then, despite successful race weekends and strong attendance, the sport struggled. There were bureaucratic hurdles, taxation issues, and a lack of sporting recognition. All of these ultimately forced Formula One out of India.

That looks to have changed now. Formula 1 will not be seen as entertainment but as sport.

“The process for giving FMSCI recognition as national sports federation is on. It is a big step towards bringing back MotoGP and Formula 1,” Chandok added.

Recognition of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) as a national sports body would be a critical structural shift. It would streamline permissions, funding avenues, and international coordination.