‘We won’t be racing there in 2027’, F1 quash Indian Grand Prix speculation

Formula 1 has moved to quash any speculation surrounding a potential revival of the Indian Grand Prix, releasing a statement saying: “we won’t be racing there in 2027,” following claims from India’s Sports Minister that the race was a done deal.

Mansukh Mandaviya, India’s Sports Minister made the claims on Monday that the sub-continent would see the return of Formula 1 in 2027, having last held a grand prix at the Buddh circuit in 2013.

“There will be an F1 race in India in 2027. This is 100 percent happening. The first race will be at the Buddh International Circuit,” Mandaviya said when speaking to the media about the deal.

“It will take another six months to work out the modalities,” he added before boldly claiming that the tax issues which saw India’s contract with F1 that was set to run till 2015, cut two years already – were being resolved at last.

“The government will help in getting the tax relaxations that had become a bone of contention so that it is a viable venture for the organisers.”

Mandaviya also cited the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has resulted in the cancelation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, as an opportunity for F1 to revisit India and explore it as an alternative.

“Given the global situation due to the ongoing Iran war, India is being seen as a safe and viable venue for sporting events, including F1.”

Formula 1 quickly shut down the claims made by the Sports Minister, with a spokesperson issuing the following statement: “while India is a valuable market for Formula 1’s continued growth with an amazing passionate fanbase, we won’t be racing there in 2027.”

“Interest in hosting Formula 1 events has never been stronger, and there are a limited number of spaces on the calendar.”

While F1 has not been to India since 2013, having completed three races there and been the scene of Sebastian Vettel’s fourth world championship win in its final year, the Buddh circuit on the outskirts of Dehli has seen MotoGP action in recent years.

Though the same financial and tax issues that plagued F1’s three year tenure more than a decade ago, have impacted MotoGP. The race ran initially in 2023, however was cancelled the following year when the host failed to pay its fee to the championship’s commercial rights holder Dorna.

A fresh three year deal was negotiated between the Indian Grand Prix organisers and Dorna in 2024 and there was speculation that India could hold the MotoGP season opener in 2025, though the race itself didn’t go ahead again that year with similar issues.

And with there such a demand for F1 globally as cited in their response to India’s claims, with only a limited number of slots available – the sport will surely look to avoid a repeat of those past troubles it has had with Indian officials, as exampled again by MotoGP.

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Written by

Jawad Yaqub

An eCommerce Specialist by day and reporting on F1 by night. Jawad is passionate about motorsport, having provided accredited F1 coverage for more than a decade and is a member of the AIPS (International Sports Press Association). Live blogging (almost) every grand prix too since 2014, as well as articles on the Supercars Championship. Also keen on sustainability, photography, collecting vinyl, (trying to) expertly barbeque and learning to Dad.

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