F1’s interest in India return growing: CEO Stefano Domenicali
The renewed interest comes after Adani Group acquired Jaiprakash Associates, formerly part of Jaypee Group, through an NCLT-approved insolvency resolution process that also included the Buddh International Circuit, built at a reported cost of $400 million.
There is also a revival momentum within the Adani Group. In February, Karan Adani, managing director of Adani Ports & SEZ and son of billionaire Gautam Adani, said he was personally spearheading efforts to bring Formula 1 back to India, describing it as an opportunity to showcase the country beyond a sporting event.
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“I personally drive the car and am busy bringing Formula 1 back to India,” Karan said. “This is not just about hosting a race for three days, but also showcasing India’s heritage.”
“There is a lot of interest in us returning to India,” Domenicali said in an interview with FanCode, Formula 1’s official broadcast partner in India. he said. “We need to find the right supporters, the right collaboration and the right timing, and that’s not going to happen in the very short term.”
Although no timeline has been set, Domenicali suggested Formula 1 has a longer-term view on India’s return. “When we talk about five years in Formula 1, it seems like a long way off, but it’s not,” he said, adding that interest in India was “increasing at all levels”. Oman unveils Muscat Peace Plan to prevent future regional conflicts
Domenicali said India remains at the center of Formula 1’s future growth plans, highlighting efforts to build localized content and audiences. “India is on our priority list to improve our focus on the future,” he said. “We were in India for the Grand Prix many years ago, but the maturity of the market was not there,” Domenicali said. he added. “Now we just need to create the right attention, the right focus, the right awareness so that we can finally come back and race there.”
Describing India as “an incredible market” due to its scale and young audience, Domenicali said that the country will become “an important market in which we need to grow”.
