India forms task force to evaluate Formula 1 return by 2028

The Indian government has established a task force to assess the viability of hosting major international motorsport events, with the stated aim of bringing Formula 1 back to the country by 2028. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the decision, which follows a recent meeting with key stakeholders including Formula 1 officials, representatives from the Buddh International Circuit, the Adani Group, and the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI).

The four-to-five member panel is mandated to deliver its recommendations within three months. Its assessment will focus on the economic, tourism, and investment benefits of hosting events like Formula 1, while also identifying necessary infrastructure and operational requirements for sustainable growth. The minister said the goal is to develop a comprehensive policy framework based on the findings, potentially exploring public-private partnership models.

This initiative revises Mandaviya's earlier target of securing a Formula 1 race by 2027. The sport last raced in India at the Buddh International Circuit near New Delhi for three seasons from 2011 to 2013, before being dropped from the calendar due to taxation and...