New Delhi: The Indian government has constituted a high-level Task Force to examine the challenges facing motorsports in the country and prepare a roadmap for developing the sector, including the possible return of Formula One.
A major part of the panel’s mandate will be to assess the feasibility of hosting a Formula One Grand Prix in India in 2028, potentially reviving the country’s association with the world’s premier motorsport championship.
The Task Force will undertake a detailed review of the motorsports ecosystem, with taxation emerging as one of the key areas of focus. It will also examine regulatory, infrastructure and operational challenges that have affected the organisation of major motorsport events in India.
The panel will identify policy measures required for sustainable growth and prepare a coordinated framework for developing motorsports across the country. It will also assess the potential economic, tourism, investment and international benefits of hosting major racing events.
Another important part of its mandate is to explore possible Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models that could support the development of motorsport infrastructure and events.
The Task Force will be headed by Yugal Kishore Joshi, Programme Director (YAS) at NITI Aayog. Its members will include senior officials from the Department of Sports, Department of Commerce and Ministry of Tourism, along with representatives of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs and the Central Board of Direct Taxes under the Department of Revenue.
Representatives from the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra will also be part of the panel.
The motorsport industry will be represented by officials from the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) and Madras International Circuit (MIC), along with the President or Secretary General of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) and a technical expert nominated by the federation.
The chairperson will also be able to bring additional members onto the panel if required.
The move comes as the government examines motorsports as more than a sporting activity, with the sector being assessed for its potential impact on tourism, infrastructure, investment and India’s international sporting profile.
India last hosted a Formula One race at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida in 2013. The country staged three consecutive Indian Grands Prix from 2011 to 2013, before the event was discontinued amid taxation, regulatory and financial challenges.
The new Task Force could provide a structured framework for addressing those long-standing issues and evaluating whether India can once again become a host for Formula One and other major international motorsport events.
Sorry, there was a YouTube error.
