India could be on course to host a Formula One Grand Prix again by 2028 after the Sports Ministry announced plans to establish a dedicated task force to assess the feasibility of bringing major motorsport events back to the country.
Task Force To Assess F1 Return
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the decision was taken following discussions with key stakeholders, including Formula One officials, representatives of the Adani Group, the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), and emerging Indian racers.
The task force will conduct a detailed study of India’s motorsport landscape, identify existing challenges, and evaluate the requirements needed to host international events such as Formula One. It will also examine the economic impact, tourism opportunities, investment potential, and infrastructure needs associated with motorsport development.
Representatives from the Sports Ministry, FMSCI, and the concerned state government will be part of the committee.
F1 Open To Returning To India
India previously hosted the Formula One Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit between 2011 and 2013 before the event was discontinued because of taxation and financial issues.
Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali recently reiterated the sport’s interest in returning to India, although he stopped short of confirming a timeline. He acknowledged India’s growing importance as a market and said discussions were ongoing to find suitable promoters and partnerships for a future race.
The proposed 2028 target aligns with F1’s long-term expansion plans and could mark the sport’s return to India after a gap of 15 years.
Sports Added To CSR Priority List
In another significant development, sports has been included as a priority category under the Department of Public Enterprises’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework.
While sports activities were already eligible for CSR funding under the Companies Act, they did not previously enjoy dedicated priority status. Under the revised framework, Central Public Sector Enterprises will allocate a significant portion of their CSR spending towards sports-related initiatives.
The scope of funding will extend beyond infrastructure projects to include athlete training, coaching programmes, talent development and other sporting activities aimed at strengthening India’s sports ecosystem.
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