New Delhi, March 11
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has taken another step towards reviving Formula One in the country, holding a meeting with the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) to discuss creating a “strong pipeline” of drivers and technicians.
The meeting was held in the national capital recently and was attended by sports secretary Hari Ranjan Rao, joint secretary (sports) Kunal and FMSCI council member Vicky Chandhok among others.
Mandaviya had visited the Buddh International Circuit, which hosted F1 races from 2011 to 2013 before taxation issues led to an abrupt end to the event.
“We discussed the possibility of bringing Formula One and MotoGP to India. The ministry is very keen and very clear that since India is one of the most advancing countries in technology, the best sport should come here,” Chandhok, who was at the helm of FMSCI when the races were last held, told PTI.
“They wanted to understand the challenges and speak to FMSCI to see our organising skills. The minister and the entire ministry are very happy to support us,” he added.
Mandaviya’s interest in reviving the race was also evident during his recent visit to the circuit, when he held discussions with officials from the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority regarding the future of motorsports infrastructure in the country.
“The discussions with the FMSCI delegation focused on creating structured pathways for athletes, engineers and technical professionals associated with the sport,” a Sports Ministry source said.
“Dr Mandaviya called for developing a comprehensive framework that positions motorsports at the intersection of sport and India’s rapidly growing automotive and engineering sectors,” the source added.
Meeting with F1 bosses in the pipeline?
It is also learnt that the FMSCI has offered to facilitate a meeting between Mandaviya and the Formula One management headed by Stefano Domenicali, the former Ferrari team boss.
India is aiming to position itself as a global sporting hub and has already secured the hosting rights for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, which is also bidding to host the 2036 Summer Olympics.
“Expanding the range of sporting disciplines and strengthening high-performance ecosystems are key steps,” the ministry source said.
During the meeting, the minister also discussed building professional racing platforms to give greater exposure and opportunities to Indian drivers.
“With growing institutional attention and the presence of world-class racing infrastructure, motorsports can gradually regain prominence within India’s sporting landscape,” the source said while outlining the minister’s vision.
India’s first Formula One driver was Narain Karthikeyan, who raced for Jordan in 2005 and HRT from 2011 to 2012, while Karun Chandhok became the country’s second driver in the championship, debuting for HRT in 2010 before racing for Lotus in 2011.
The revival plan also aligns with national sporting priorities, with the aim of nurturing talent early and building a strong pipeline of drivers, technicians and motorsport professionals.
PTI
