Formula 1 was last held in India in 2013. In that season, Sebastian Vettel won his fourth world championship.
Idman.Biz reports that the Indian government has put the process of Formula 1 returning to the Buddh International Circuit back on the agenda. Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel won all Indian Grand Prix held on the track, which hosted F1 races for three consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2013.
In fact, India and Formula 1 had a five-year agreement in place from 2011 to at least 2015. However, due to a tax dispute with the Uttar Pradesh government, the 2013 races were the last.
The government is currently trying to persuade the track owners to hand over the facility to a sports management company for a period of two to three years. The aim is to ensure the return of Formula 1 to India during this period. This step is intended as a temporary, not permanent, mechanism.
According to The Times of India, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya last week ordered that concrete steps be taken for the return of Formula 1. It was also emphasized that the tax problems that hindered the races in the past will be resolved soon.
It should be noted that India intends to bring major international sports competitions back to the country by 2030. This strategy is also linked to plans to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic Games.