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Officials confirm Liberty Media talks on return of iconic F1 Grand Prix in 2025

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YEIDA CEO Arun Vir Singh has confirmed plans to speak with Liberty Media about the potential return of an Indian Grand Prix to Formula 1 after MotoGP’s successful visit.

That is according to reports by The Times of India which cite Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) chief Singh. He has revealed that plans are underway to see Formula 1 return to South Asia for the first time since 2013 after MotoGP’s debut last week.

It will be a ‘significant achievement’ for India to host the premier two and four-wheel series at the same. But Singh hopes to see the two both race around the Buddh International Circuit annually. The circuit held F1 from 2011 to 2013 and now has a deal with MotoGP until 2029.

Ducati and Honda riders Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez at MotoGP Bharat 2023 around Buddh International Circuit as Formula 1 return plans announced
Photo by Ajay Aggarwal/Hindustan Times via Getty Images

YEIDA hopes to have a Formula 1 Indian GP again in 2025

Formula 1 stopped visiting India after just three Grand Prix as the UP government withdrew its exemption on entertainment tax. The government’s agreement with the race organisers ensured the F1 events could go ahead. But, without it, motorsport has kept clear of the BIC.

Now, though, MotoGP ended the Buddh International Circuit’s years in the wilderness with an exciting debut race last weekend. The MotoGP Bharat’s success has also encouraged YEIDA to advance its desire for F1 to return. Initial plans were already underway in the background.

But YEIDA will now increase its bid to bring Formula 1 back to India, with Singh confirming intentions to speak with the sport’s owners, Liberty Media, and its governing body, the FIA. Singh further hopes to hold talks on the possibility of an Indian F1 Grand Prix in 2025 soon.

MotoGP’s success could bring back a track Vettel loved

Sebastian Vettel en route to winning 2013 Formula 1 Indian GP and drivers' title for Red Bull
Photo by Hoch Zwei/Corbis via Getty Images

MotoGP held its first-ever round in India last week after agreeing a deal between its owners, Dorna, and the Indian company, Fairstreet Sports. The company is the organiser of the race. It was also founded one decade ago with the aim of putting Bharat on the motorsport map.

So, Fairstreet Sports may have a role to play in the return of a Formula 1 Indian GP from the 2025 season. The 2011 round was an iconic event for F1, with it the first time that the sport had visited South Asia and India. Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull won in all three of F1’s visits.

Vettel loved the Buddh International Circuit and the 36-year-old also sealed the fourth of his F1 championships there in 2013. While after his win at the inaugural Indian GP in 2011, the German said, as quoted by Autosport: “It is a great race, great event. The circuit is fantastic.”