Karun Chandhok reacts after government official claims Indian Grand Prix will be back in 2027

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India’s Sports Minister has claimed that Formula 1 will return to the country by the 2027 season.

The sport is looking to add new locations to the calendar in the next few seasons, without extending it beyond the existing 24-race format. Tracks such as Spa will be on rotational contracts from this year, with the Belgian GP set to drop off the schedule in 2028 and 2030.

The Portuguese Grand Prix will return from 2027 onwards at Portimao, while there was talk that the Turkish Grand Prix would also return next year. Now, it is being claimed that the Indian Grand Prix will be back on the calendar.

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India has not hosted an F1 race since 2013. It ran events at the Buddh International Circuit from 2011 to 2013, with Sebastian Vettel winning all three races.

The Indian Grand Prix would lose its spot on the calendar due to rising taxes and ticket prices to host the event, as the Uttar Pradesh government classed F1 as entertainment, not a sport.

Karun Chandhok says it’s ‘too soon’ for the Indian Grand Prix in 2027

Journalist Kunal Shah posted on X (formerly Twitter) that India were planning to bring the Buddh International Circuit back to the calendar.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is absolutely convinced that the race will go ahead. He said, as quoted by Shah: “There will be an F1 race in India in 2027. This is 100 per cent happening. First race will be at Buddha International Circuit.”

Former Indian F1 driver and current pundit, Karun Chandhok, reacted to the news via his X account. He says, while he applauded the ambition, that it is ‘too soon’ for the country to return by next year.

“Good to see the ambition, but 2027 is too soon for the level of work needed to make this happen,” he wrote. “Would love to see the Indian GP back but the owners need to carry out work on the track, work on the financial model & the regulatory & taxation issues. 2029 – 2030 at the earliest

F1 say it is ‘highly unlikely’ that the Indian Grand Prix will return in 2027

F1 have since responded to the strong claim, stating that it is ‘highly unlikely’ that the Indian Grand Prix will return by 2027.

However, as quoted by Shah, the sport have said that it is a ‘market of interest’: “2027 is highly unlikely but India is a market of interest. We have many amazing fans in the country but we are not close to an agreement.”

Mandaviya added that India must plan to host a MotoGP race before it can start thinking about F1: “Given the global situation due to the ongoing Iran war, India is being seen as a safe and viable venue for sporting events, including F1.

“We plan to have a MotoGP event before F1 returns. The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) is in talks with Formula One right now, we will be facilitators.”