Formula One has a huge headache to resolve with the US president announcing an economic embargo on Iran. The US Navy continues to blockade all Iranian ports in an effort to strangle the Islamist regime’s source of income, and the latest threats from the White House demand that no third-party country continue trading with the Middle Eastern nation.
In response, Iran continues to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz in what appears to be another “forever war” into which the US has stepped. With four Grand Prix races scheduled within easy reach of Iran’s drones and ballistic missiles, it’s impossible for F1 to return to the region anytime soon.
Bahrain was recently attacked and US servicemen killed, which clearly makes an F1 return to the region impossible for the medium term. This leaves a massive hole in the F1 24-race calendar, with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi now off the schedule.
Bahrain has meanwhile paid its hosting fee for its race weekend, but it will bizarrely be held in Malaysia after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Given the loss of the other three hosting fees, F1 is facing a financial crisis. Revenue was down some 50% in quarter two this year, and with the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix inevitably facing cancellation, more bad news is on the horizon.
Should the number of races fall below 22, the world’s TV broadcasters will also be able to demand significant refunds on their annual fees. For now, Malaysia is a stopgap measure, but at least one more venue must be found for this season.
Looking Beyond the Middle East
Longer term, F1 will need to broaden its horizons away from the Middle East, and a number of options are now on the table—one being a return to India. The Indian Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh (near New Delhi). Though short-lived, running for only three editions from 2011 to 2013, it holds a distinct place in modern F1 history.
It was dominated by Sebastian Vettel, who claimed all three pole positions and race wins, but the event was troubled by internal Indian politics. The race weekend was deemed by the Indian authorities to be “entertainment” rather than a sporting event, and as such was subject to significantly higher levels of taxation.
The race promoters, Jaypee Sports International, faced severe financial difficulties and debt issues, making hosting fees unviable without government support. Attendance dropped significantly in 2012 and 2013 compared to the debut year, and the race was removed from the schedule for 2014.
Designed by famed F1 architect Hermann Tilke, the 5.125 km (3.185 mi) track was widely praised by drivers for its fast, flowing nature and dramatic elevation changes. It included a long 1.06 km back straight (one of the longest in F1 at the time), offering prime overtaking opportunities under DRS.
Turns 10–11 form a multi-apex, high-speed banked corner modeled loosely on Turkey’s famous Turn 8, and the layout featured significant elevation changes built into the terrain, particularly into Turn 1 and Turn 3.
Recent changes in the tax laws in India have seen the introduction of the unified Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime — replacing the old state-level tax structure, which deemed F1 entertainment. Further, there have been efforts to streamline the red tape that threatened certain teams entering India to compete in the race.
Following the financial collapse of the original circuit owners (Jaypee Group), a corporate takeover of the Buddh International Circuit by the Adani Group has provided solid private-sector backing. The government is coordinating directly with prospective owners to ensure the FIA Grade 1 facility in Greater Noida undergoes any necessary operational and commercial upgrades to retain its top-tier motorsport licence.
Having been burned once, Formula One Management, as the commercial rights holder, wants host venues to provide financial stability over multiple years, but the ongoing legal battles in India at the time meant there was no clear resolution in sight. Now there is light at the end of the tunnel, just as a driver of Indian descent is making waves in the sport.
The Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad is listed as of British-Swedish descent, yet his mother’s parents are Indians from the Punjab region of the subcontinent. His performances against his much more experienced teammate, Liam Lawson, have been impressive this year, and it coincides with an upsurge of Indian interest in the sport.
In 2024, FOM agreed to a deal with the leading Indian digital sports streaming service FanCode to broadcast the Grand Prix and accelerate fan engagement in India. Since then, the audience has grown dramatically in a country that has a population of some 1.5 billion.
F1 viewership has grown from around 60 million to 98 million in the past three seasons, with FanCode offering live streaming, real-time match data, highlights, interactive statistics, and official sports merchandise — all in a single app.
F1’s popularity around the world is growing, and with Lindblad doing well, the Indian audience is becoming re-engaged in the sport. F1: The Movie was a huge commercial success in India, becoming the second-highest-grossing film release of 2025.
The climate in India is favourable during the early-season flyaway races, while Europe remains gripped in the cold and snow. While it is thought time is too short to find the right promoter for 2027, the Indian Grand Prix could realistically return for 2028.
Political and Financial Reversal
Losing four Middle Eastern Grand Prix races has hastened F1’s interest in a return to the subcontinent, and the Indian government is playing its part. India’s Sports Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, recently convened high-level meetings with key stakeholders—including the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) and prospective track operators—to establish a formal task force aimed at reviving the Indian F1 Grand Prix.
Recent changes in the tax laws in India have seen the introduction of the unified Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime — replacing the old state-level tax structure, which deemed F1 entertainment. Further, there have been efforts to streamline the red tape that threatened certain teams entering India to compete in the race.
Following the financial collapse of the original circuit owners (Jaypee Group), a corporate takeover of the Buddh International Circuit by the Adani Group has provided solid private-sector backing. The government is coordinating directly with prospective owners to ensure the FIA Grade 1 facility in Greater Noida undergoes any necessary operational and commercial upgrades to retain its top-tier motorsport licence.
Having been burned once, Formula One Management, as the commercial rights holder, wants host venues to provide financial stability over multiple years, but the ongoing legal battles in India at the time meant there was no clear resolution in sight. Now there is light at the end of the tunnel, just as a driver of Indian descent is making waves in the sport.
The Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad is listed as of British-Swedish descent, yet his mother’s parents are Indians from the Punjab region of the subcontinent. His performances against his much more experienced teammate, Liam Lawson, have been impressive this year, and it coincides with an upsurge of Indian interest in the sport.
In 2024, FOM agreed to a deal with the leading Indian digital sports streaming service FanCode to broadcast the Grand Prix and accelerate fan engagement in India. Since then, the audience has grown dramatically in a country that has a population of some 1.5 billion.
F1 viewership has grown from around 60 million to 98 million in the past three seasons, with FanCode offering live streaming, real-time match data, highlights, interactive statistics, and official sports merchandise — all in a single app.
F1’s popularity around the world is growing, and with Lindblad doing well, the Indian audience is becoming re-engaged in the sport. F1: The Movie was a huge commercial success in India, becoming the second-highest-grossing film release of 2025.
The climate in India is favourable during the early-season flyaway races, while Europe remains gripped in the cold and snow. Recently, India’s Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya made the bold claim to the Indian Times:
“There will be an F1 race in India in 2027. This is 100% happening. The first race will be at the Buddh International Circuit.”
“It will take another six months to work out the modalities. The government will help in getting the tax relaxations that had become a bone of contention so that it is a viable venture for the organisers.”
While it is thought time is too short to find the right promoter for 2027, the Indian Grand Prix could realistically return for 2028.
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A.J. Hunt is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Andrew oversees editorial standards and contributes to the site’s Formula 1 coverage. A career journalist with experience in both print and digital sports media, Andrew trained in investigative journalism and has written for a range of European sports outlets.
At TJ13, Andrew plays a central role in shaping the site’s output, working across breaking news, analysis, and long-form features. Andrew’s responsibilities include fact-checking, refining editorial structure, and ensuring consistency in reporting across a fast-moving news cycle.
Andrew’s work focuses particularly on the intersection of Formula 1 politics, regulation, and team strategy. Andrew closely follows developments involving the FIA, team leadership, and driver market dynamics, helping to provide context behind the sport’s biggest stories.
With experience covering multiple seasons of Formula 1’s modern hybrid era, Andrew has developed a detailed understanding of how regulatory changes and competitive shifts influence the grid. Andrew’s editorial approach prioritises clarity and context, aiming to help readers navigate complex developments within the sport.
In addition to editorial duties, Andrew is particularly interested in how media narratives shape fan perception of Formula 1, and how reporting can balance speed with accuracy in an increasingly digital news environment.
