Pranav Adani's Singapore GP visit fuels interest in potential F1 return to India

As efforts to bring Formula 1 back to India gather momentum, Pranav Adani's visit to the Singapore Grand Prix has drawn attention, with the Adani Group and the Indian government exploring the possibility of reviving the country's place on the racing calendar.

PTI has learnt that Pranav attended the Singapore GP in a personal capacity as a guest of the FIA, the world governing body for four-wheel racing. His meeting with FIA officials has generated interest amid ongoing discussions around India's potential return to the sport.

The Adani Group has acquired the debt-ridden Jaypee Group, a deal that includes the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida. The circuit hosted Formula 1 races from 2011 to 2013 before the event was discontinued amid taxation and financial challenges.

Karan Adani has publicly expressed his desire to bring F1 back to India, while the government has formed a task force to work towards reviving the event. The Adani Group and Formula One Management have also held exploratory discussions, though no definite timeline has been established.

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has repeatedly expressed interest in holding a race in a country of 1.5 billion people, provided the timing is right and sufficient awareness of the sport is established.

Several figures in the paddock have also voiced enthusiasm for a possible Indian race. Reigning world champion Lando Norris said he would welcome the opportunity to race in India, citing the country's fan base and his friendship with Indian driver Jehan Daruvala, his former teammate.

"I know I have a lot of fans from India, and I remember having Jehan (Daruvala), an Indian driver, as my teammate for many, many years. He's one of my best friends," Norris said ahead of the Singapore GP.

"And I've still never been to India, so I would love to go to experience it, first of all, but also to go and race there because I'm sure, and I know, that the fans out there love the sport," he added.

Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad, who has Indian roots, and Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen have also expressed interest in the prospect of India's return.

The Adani Group and the Sports Ministry see hosting the event as an opportunity to showcase India's infrastructure, capabilities and ambitions on the global stage. However, several financial, regulatory and technical hurdles remain.

Formula 1 would require clarity on tax rebates before advancing discussions. The local promoter would also need to pay an annual hosting fee estimated at Rs 300 crore to Rs 500 crore.

The Buddh International Circuit would require a major upgrade, estimated to cost Rs 150 crore to Rs 200 crore, apart from substantial logistics and safety expenses.

Competition from other countries seeking to host races adds to the challenge. Nielsen said Asia remained important to Formula 1's growth, but India would have to compete with an expanding pool of potential host locations.

"Formula 1 is very competitive now. Twenty years ago, it was difficult to find regions or cities that wanted races, and now it's the opposite. So India would have to compete with other places," he said in the Singapore paddock.