Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Congress Alleges Cronyism Over Formula 1 Revival Task Force
India has created a group to study whether Formula 1 racing can return to the country.
The group will look at problems such as taxes, rules and other practical challenges.
It hopes to prepare a plan for possibly holding a race in 2028.
The Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida hosted India’s last race in 2013.
The circuit’s new owners, the Adani Group, will have a representative on the task force.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the plan and called it an example of cronyism.
The government says the committee is meant to support the long-term growth of motorsports.
Representatives from several government departments and two state governments will participate.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced a 10-member task force to assess reviving Formula 1 in India.
The committee will develop a roadmap for sustainable motorsports growth and potentially host a race in 2028.
The task force will examine taxation, policy interventions and other challenges affecting a revival.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged cronyism, citing the recent takeover of the Buddh International Circuit and other assets by the Adani Group.
India last hosted a Formula 1 race at the Buddh International Circuit in 2013, before bureaucratic and taxation issues led to its removal from the calendar.
- Who
- Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the task force, chaired by NITI Aayog Programme Director and Adviser Yugal Kishore Joshi; Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the move.
- What
- A 10-member task force will assess the challenges and feasibility of reviving Formula 1 in India and prepare a roadmap for a possible 2028 race.
- When
- The task force was announced on September 15; India last hosted a Formula 1 race in 2013.
- Where
- The proposed race would be held at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- The committee was formed to identify challenges and policy interventions, including taxation issues, needed to revive motorsports and Formula 1 in India.
Government rationale
Congress criticism
Purpose of the task force
Government rationale
The government says the committee will create a coordinated roadmap for sustainable motorsports growth, assess barriers and identify policy interventions for a possible 2028 race.
Congress criticism
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh described the move as evidence that the Modi government is reaching new depths of cronyism.
Role of the circuit’s owners
Government rationale
The task force will include the new owners of the Buddh International Circuit, allowing them to participate in discussions about the venue’s potential revival.
Congress criticism
Congress alleged a conflict of interest because the Adani Group had taken over the circuit and other assets only a few months earlier.
- Task force size
- 10 members
- Chairperson
- Yugal Kishore Joshi, NITI Aayog Programme Director and Adviser
- Target year
- 2028
- Circuit
- Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida
- Last Indian race
- 2013
- Government bodies involved
- Departments of Tourism and Commerce, CBIC and CBDT
- State representation
- Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra governments