Speaking during an interaction with select media on Saturday, Mandaviya said the decision followed a recent meeting involving all key stakeholders, including Formula One officials, owners of the Buddh International Circuit, representatives of the Adani Group, the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India, young racers and motorsport enthusiasts.
The minister said the primary outcome of the meeting was the decision to establish a four to five-member Task Force to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the motorsports ecosystem in the country and examine the challenges associated with its expansion.
According to Mandaviya, the Task Force will evaluate the international, economic, tourism and investment benefits arising from hosting major motorsport events in India. It will also identify infrastructure requirements, operational needs and priority areas necessary for the sustainable development of the sector before submitting its recommendations to the Sports Ministry.
He said the panel would include representatives from the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India, the Sports Ministry, the Uttar Pradesh government and the owners of the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida.
Based on the findings of the Task Force, the government plans to formulate a comprehensive policy framework aimed at promoting motorsports across the country.
Mandaviya said the target is to host a Formula One race in India by 2028, revising his earlier objective of bringing the championship back by 2027. He added that the required framework for the sport's revival would be established by next year, with special emphasis on encouraging and supporting regional and grassroots motorsport centres.
The minister also said motorsports would become an important component of the government's "Play in India" initiative. He stressed that Formula One has the potential to create an extensive economic ecosystem and noted that India possesses enormous opportunities because of the sport's rapidly expanding fan base.
He said the revival plan would be implemented through a phased and systematic approach, with the Government of India committed to extending full support for the growth and advancement of motorsports.
India previously hosted Formula One races from 2011 to 2013 before the event was removed from the calendar because of taxation issues and financial challenges.
Formula One Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali recently acknowledged the massive interest in India but refrained from setting a timeline for the championship's return, saying the project would require the right investment and suitable partners.
According to a Formula One statement issued in December last year, the sport had a fan base of 79 million in India. In less than six months, that number has increased to 98 million, underlining the growing popularity of Formula One and strengthening hopes of the championship's return after a prolonged absence.
The proposed Task Force and the government's commitment mark a significant step towards restoring India to the Formula One calendar, potentially transforming motorsports into a major sporting and economic platform while capitalising on the country's rapidly expanding fan base.
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