Formula 1 has not returned to India since the 2013 Indian Grand Prix, with taxation and regulatory challenges contributing to its exit from the calendar.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali described India as a market with immense potential, citing its young, diverse and rapidly growing fanbase.
While no Grand Prix return has been confirmed, Formula 1 continues to view India as an important part of its long-term global growth strategy.
F1's India Dream Still Alive: Stefano Domenicali Plans Out Long-Term Roadmap for Return
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has reaffirmed the sport's commitment to expanding in India, highlighting the country's immense commercial potential, growing fanbase and importance in Formula 1's future global strategy.
Summary
The last Formula One Grand Prix held in India took place in 2013 at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida. Despite attracting global attention and showcasing India's potential as a motorsport destination, the event disappeared from the F1 calendar due to a combination of taxation disputes, regulatory challenges and commercial hurdles that made it difficult for the sport to sustain a long-term presence in the country.
More than a decade later, Formula 1 CEO and President Stefano Domenicali believes India remains a market with enormous untapped potential. Speaking to FanCode, the official broadcaster of Formula 1 in India, Domenicali highlighted the country's growing importance in the sport's long-term strategy, pointing to its young demographic and rapidly expanding fanbase.
“India is an incredible market. First of all, because it's huge, but it's young - our fans are getting younger, more diverse, and there is an incredible enthusiasm. India for us will represent even more in the future an important market where we have to go,” Domenicali said.
The Formula 1 chief also reflected on his experiences in India, describing the nation as one of the most vibrant destinations in the world.
“It is a country of magic, a country of passion, a country of color, a country of smiles,” he added.
While there is currently no confirmed timeline for Formula 1's return to India, Domenicali's comments indicate that the country remains firmly on the sport's radar as it continues to expand its global footprint and strengthen engagement with emerging motorsport audiences.
On the Potential Return of the Indian Grand Prix
When asked about the return of the Indian Grand Prix following recent media speculation, Domenicali emphasized the necessity of a sustainable, long-term approach.
“There is a big interest from us to return to your country,” Domenicali stated. “There are the right things that we need to do - to find back again the right promoters, the right collaboration, and the right timing, which will not be in the very short term.
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But when we talk about five years in Formula 1, it seems to be very far away, but it's not. There is not yet a fixed date on which we can really say something, but we see the interest that is growing at all levels.”
He added, “It is very important to say that we need to feel the interest from all the stakeholders of India because this is a project that, when we reach back to your country, has to be big.
It has to be the right one, with the right level of investment and the right level of people, because your market is just phenomenal. I just want to guarantee that we're going to be there for sure one day and in the right condition.”
Strategic Development and Fan Engagement
Domenicali highlighted that Formula 1’s current focus in India involves working closely with FanCode to reach the audiences - which continue to get younger and more diverse, as well as grow the fan base through interesting collaborations, including a potential Bollywood project.
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“We are a platform that has moved from only sport to entertainment, to integration, to discussion, and is getting younger and younger,” he explained. “In India, for us, it is about pushing content with our social media and trying to find new projects like potential Bollywood projects that can be very attractive for our fans in India. India is on our priority list to develop our attention for the future.”
FanCode’s approach has included regional commentary in Hindi & Tamil, as well as screenings across India. Domenically praised the work done by FanCode, and said F1 will work together with FanCode for more personalized, localized content to reach Indian audiences.
“We know that every single market has a different way to get into the fans' attention. We believe that our relationship with FanCode is the right step in starting to grow the awareness of the sport. Being able to do this kind of personalization, talking about India’s many languages, dialects, and interpretations, is just the right way to be in the market” Domenicali concluded.
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Fans can watch all the action from Formula 1 Live and Exclusive only on FanCode.
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