How Moto GP is trying to avoid the pitfalls that scuppered F1’s foray into India

India returns to motorsport with Moto GP, a private enterprise backed by govt support. After losing F1, the country has another chance to show it can host a high-profile event. With govt recognition, the event has been made easier to organise. A great chance to showcase India, the race is a chance to promote tourism.

Ten years ago, India made its mark on the world motorsport map with the inaugural Indian Grand Prix Formula One race in 2011, which ran for three years at the Buddh International Circuit.

The Indian GP was an audacious effort from a private enterprise with little government support. The Jaypee group, which built the circuit, promoted the race before it hit financial troubles, leading to Formula One dropping the country with two years left in the contract.

Also read: Inaugural Grand Prix — a dream come true for India

During its run, the Grand Prix also got mired in various issues, from customs clearance for bringing the cars and parts to taxation when motorsports was not even considered a sport and was instead classified as entertainment.

The bureaucracy did not help matters with the red tape frustrating everyone as there was very little State support for the event.

Earlier this year, a big-ticket motorsport event returned when Hyderabad hosted a round of the FIA Formula E championship around the city’s streets, with the local government being heavily involved in bringing the race. While Formula E is a world championship event, it started only in 2014, and there are already doubts if it will happen next year.

Also read: Hyderabad loses spot in E-Prix, but all is not lost yet