Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on 20 June announced the formation of a dedicated task force to chart a roadmap for reviving Formula 1 in India and building a long-term motorsports ecosystem, following a high-level meeting at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in New Delhi. The move signals the government's most structured attempt in years to reposition India as a credible destination for international motorsport.

What the Task Force Will Do

The proposed panel will comprise four to five members and will conduct a detailed assessment of India's motorsports landscape. Its mandate covers infrastructural gaps, operational bottlenecks, and policy deficiencies that have historically constrained the sport's growth in the country.

The task force will also evaluate the broader economic case for hosting premier events such as Formula 1, examining tourism potential, international visibility, and investment opportunities. Its findings will be submitted to the Sports Ministry for action.

What the Government Said

'A task force will be constituted for the revival of Formula 1, with a focus on infrastructure development, a comprehensive policy framework, and a structured public-private partnership model to strengthen motorsports in India,' Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.

The Ministry confirmed that the task force's recommendations will form the basis of a national policy framework for motorsports, addressing infrastructure, talent development, event-hosting capabilities, and long-term governance.

Grassroots and PPP Focus

Beyond elite competition, the government intends to strengthen regional and grassroots motorsport centres to build a sustainable talent pipeline and improve facility access across the country. Recognising India's growing fan base, officials said the initiative would emphasise expanding the sport beyond top-tier events.

To fund and implement the strategy, the Ministry will explore Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models, with private stakeholders expected to play a key role in infrastructure development, event management, and investment mobilisation.

Link to 'Play in India'

The government also intends to integrate motorsports into its broader 'Play in India' initiative, positioning the discipline as a component of India's wider sporting ambitions and global profile. The meeting was attended by officials from the Ministry, representatives of the national motorsports federation, and other key stakeholders.

India last hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida between 2011 and 2013, before the event was discontinued amid infrastructure and tax disputes. The task force's formation is the first formal government step toward addressing those structural barriers since then. How quickly its recommendations translate into policy — and whether the PPP model can attract credible private investment — will determine whether this initiative moves beyond the planning stage.