Adani Group planning to revive Formula 1 in India at Buddh International Circuit
Buddh International Circuit was previously the home of F1 in India.
Over a decade after the last Formula 1 race took place at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, the Adani Group is planning to bring the sport back to India.
Speaking at the 70th Foundation Day of the All India Management Association (AIMA), Karan Adani, MD of Adani Cement and Adani Ports & SEZ, revealed that he is actively working on a plan to bring Formula 1 to the country.
Adani also highlighted the country’s strong potential and its growing fan base for the sport that has seen a meteoric rise since the acquisition by Liberty Media.
“I’m very excited… obviously the Buddh circuit comes (as) part of the deal. I’m very personally engaged in terms of bringing Formula 1 back into India. I think India has a lot of potential. There’s a lot of following in Formula 1 from India,”
The comments come in the backdrop of the Adani Group vying to take over Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL), the principal company of the Jaypee Group that owns the iconic Buddh International Circuit.
In November 2025, the conglomerate won the majority backing of JAL’s lenders for its ₹14,535-crore resolution proposal, which featured a larger upfront payment compared to rival offers. If the deal goes through, ownership of the iconic racing track would transfer to the Adani Group, which has ambitious plans for its future.
In another positive update, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya recently toured the Circuit and met with representatives from the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), the body responsible for managing the area’s development.
History of Formula 1 at the Buddh International Circuit
The Buddh International Circuit (BIC) is located in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, on the outskirts of New Delhi. The circuit was opened in 2011 as India’s first international-standard racing track, known for its long straights.
The first-ever Indian Grand Prix was held in 2011, followed by 2012 and 2013. With the then Redbull Driver Sebastian Vettel winning all three races. However, despite massive success and fan following, the sport exited the country due to a tax dispute with the state government.
The Uttar Pradesh government classified the race as entertainment rather than a sporting event, leading to a dispute that led to its removal from the F1 Calendar.
After a long time in 2023, MotoGP made its India debut at the F1 Indian GP’s former home, the BIC. However, the 2024 race was cancelled due to operational and weather concerns, while the 2025 return was postponed to 2026.
Even though the prospects for F1’s return to India appear promising, the Adani Group will still need to navigate significant bureaucratic hurdles and operational challenges.
However, with India being home to one of the largest F1 fan bases in the world, ranking among the top three globally, the potential for reviving the sport in the country is immense, promising strong viewership, commercial opportunities, and renewed enthusiasm for motorsport.
Is Formula 1 returning to India?
No, but there is strong planning underway as the Adani Group is actively working on plans to bring F1 back as part of the JAL takeover strategy.
When was the last Formula 1 race held in India?
The Indian Grand Prix was held three years in a row, 2011, 2012, and 2013, at the Buddh International Circuit. After 2013, it was dropped from the calendar due to a tax dispute with the state government.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.