Formula 1 is booming. Its enjoying a new lease of life after its new owners enacted a major programme of improvements that helped to attract more fans, spice up the racing, and add more dates to the schedule. Viewing figures are up, the sports share price is up, and new sponsorship deals are being signed all the time. Demand for F1 betting markets is also strong, thanks in part to many sites offering free bets that can be used on Grands Prix wagers and the sport signing a deal with a data partner that allows betting sites to offer more options to customers.
Just about everything in Formula 1 is getting bigger, perhaps no more so than the calendar. 20 years ago, a championship lasted from March to late September or early October and contained 15-17 Grands Prix. In 2022, the sport had scheduled 23 races, though this has since been cut back to 22.
As it stands, F1 has a problem. It has become so successful that there is significantly more demand for race hosts than it has room for on its calendar. The sport cant conceivably expand much further than it already has, with some suggesting the limit on races is likely to eventually become 25 per year.
South Africa, Las Vegas, and several Asian countries have either been added or are likely to be added to the schedule for the next few years. But with that, there is likely to be one notable omission – India.
The Indian Grand Prix
India hasnt always been missing from the calendar. Plans had been tabled and discussed several times, at least as early as 1997, but the country was only first added in 2011, with the Grand Prix taking place in late October that year. It was won by Sebastian Vettel in the Red Bull car on his way to winning his second World Drivers title.
It remained on the schedule for just three years until it was dropped. 2014 was supposed to be a one-year hiatus for India which would take a break from hosting duties and pick them back up again in 2015.
The race was even added to the calendar by the FIA for that year but it was later postponed for another season. This was caused by a local dispute about whether the sport and teams should pay large taxes in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
No resolution was ever found, so Formula 1 has not turned a wheel in anger on the subcontinent since 2013.
Could India Return to the Calendar?
India is clearly an attractive market for Formula 1. With a population approaching 2 billion people, the country is a huge opportunity for sponsors and broadcasters alike. According to F1s own reporting, the sport already attracts more than 30 million viewers in India but more physical presence there could help it to grow.
There is, therefore, a clear commercial rationale for a return to the worlds second-most-populous nation, but is it a plausible prospect?
Assuming that it is possible to overcome the tax dispute, then there are a few challenges that need to be overcome.
Circuits
Firstly, F1 needs to find a circuit. The most obvious choice is the Buddh International Circuit which was used between 2011 and 2013. It has maintained its FIA Grade One status, which is a requirement for hosting Formula 1.
In 2022, the circuit also resumed hosting duties for other series with Formula 4 and Formula Regional hosting events there this year, so little work will be necessary to get it ready for F1.
However, it isnt the only candidate. The Madras Motor Race Track in Irungattukottai, Chennai currently has Grade Two status, so would require only a small amount of investment to allow it to host a Grand Prix. It has a mix of corner types, as well as some sizable straights, which could make for interesting racing. Alternatively, a street circuit could be created in one of Indias cities, just like weve seen in Miami, Las Vegas, and Azerbaijan.
Schedule
The other issue is scheduling. As weve already discussed, Formula 1 is already struggling to add more races, so adding India to the mix will make the situation even more difficult.
However, rumours have been doing the rounds recently that F1 is considering alternating between hosts. If this comes to fruition, it could be Indias route back onto the calendar, sharing a spot with another country to take it in turns to be on the schedule every other year.
Disclaimer:
- As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman and Sikkim, prohibit gambling
- Land-based casinos are legalized, with certain guidelines, in Goa and Daman, as per the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976
- Land-based casinos, Online gambling and E-gaming (games of chance) are legalized in Sikkim under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009
- Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries as per and subject to the conditions laid down by state laws. Kindly refer to the same here
- Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in a licensed premise in select states. Kindly refer to the 1996 Judgement by the Supreme Court Of India here and for more information
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