F1 eyes Greater Noida return

India’s sports minister said on April 13 that Formula 1 is being lined up for a return to Greater Noida in 2027, with three companies interested in running the Buddh International Circuit. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) Mansukh Mandaviya told reporters the first race would be at the Buddh circuit and said the government is trying to remove the tax problems that helped drive the series out after 2013. Formula 1 itself had not publicly confirmed a 2027 Indian Grand Prix on April 13. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com; thehindu.com) The Buddh International Circuit, on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida, hosted the Indian Grand Prix in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Sebastian Vettel won all three races. (formula1.com; formula1.com; formula1.com) That history matters because India has not been on the Formula 1 calendar since October 2013, even as the championship has expanded elsewhere. Formula 1’s official 2026 schedule lists 22 rounds and no race in India. (formula1.com; formula1.com) The immediate obstacle is not only sanctioning a race but also who controls the venue. The circuit sits inside the wider Jaypee Sports City project, where ownership and land issues have been tied up in insolvency and court proceedings. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com; moneycontrol.com) In March 2026, the National Company Law Tribunal approved Adani Enterprises’ resolution plan for Jaiprakash Associates. Reports on the deal said the assets included the Buddh International Circuit, but separate legal disputes over Sports City land were still unresolved. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com; hindustantimes.com) Mandaviya had already signaled the push in February, when he visited the circuit and said the ministry had opened talks with track authorities about reviving the race. Monday’s update added a number to that effort: three prospective operators. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com; news18.com) There is still a gap between political intent and a race contract. The Hindu reported on April 13 that Formula 1 sources considered a 2027 return unlikely, suggesting the public push has moved faster than the commercial and regulatory process. (thehindu.com) For now, the story is less “India is back on the calendar” than “India is trying again.” The next test is whether the Buddh circuit gets a settled operator, cleared legal footing and a signed slot from Formula 1. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com; thehindu.com)