Buddh International Circuit – appreciated by F1 drivers but now a white elephant

The Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh remains a case of what could have been. Built to bring Formula One’s traveling circus to India, the circuit was meant to be operational from 2010 but was inaugurated in October 2011 ahead of the first-ever Indian Grand Prix. A deal was in place between F1 and the Jaypee International Group – the organisation that built and owns the track – that would see the event being held for at least the next five years. However, the race has not been held since the third edition in 2013 and at least as of 2021, F1 will not be returning to the country.

History

A tentative agreement was reached between then-Formula One Group CEO Bernie Eccelstone and the Indian Olympic Association in 2007 to hold a Grand Prix in India in the near future.

A site in Greater Noida was picked out to be the area where the circuit would be built although the plans were hit by delays to both procure the land and subsequently start the construction, mainly due to the financial crisis in early 2009.

Eventually the 5.14 km long circuit, that was designed by German racetrack designer Hermann Tilke, was scheduled to be completed by 2010, with the first Indian Grand Prix scheduled to be held then. However, the date was pushed back by a year which was when the inaugural Indian GP was held.

Race History

All three races held at the circuit were win by German driver Sebastian Vettel, then part of Red Bull Racing and in the midst of a run that saw him win four world driver’s championships from 2010-13.

The record for the fastest lap and is also held by Vettel which he set in 2011, whereas the fastest laps in 2012 and 2013 were set by McLaren’s Jenson Button and Lotus’ Kimi Raikkonen, respectively.

Interestingly, the final F1 race held at the event was the race that saw Vettel close out the driver’s championship for that year – the last world title he ever won in the sport. Red Bull also claimed the constructor’s championship at that race.

The circuit was positively received by the drivers, many of whom compared it to the iconic circuit at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

“There is a lot of elevation change around the lap which adds to the fun, from as much as 8% downhill and up to 10% uphill; it’s like a roller coaster. It really has emerged as one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar for the drivers,” Vettel had said about the track.

Current Use

The non-return of Formula One, mainly due to scheduling issues and an unresolved tax dispute with the Uttar Pradesh state government, means the circuit is now used mostly for smaller events.

No international racing championships of any sort have been held at the circuit since 2014, and the owners of the race track reportedly wrote off losses in excess of $25 million for hosting the F1 race over three seasons.

However, they have reiterated their desire to not sell the circuit despite the costs of upkeep being high and the company’s own financial situation being questionable at best.

All of these factors mean that a return of F1 to India, at least for now, remains a distant dream for motorsport fans in the country.