'Indians love Formula 1, would love to race there': Lando Norris on potential Indian GP

Lando Norris (File pic)

Formula 1 reigning world champion Lando Norris has voiced an ambition to race in India, amid fresh national initiatives aimed at bringing the motorsport back to the country.

The Indian government has recently established a special task force to restart the marquee Grand Prix, which previously ran for three editions from 2011 to 2013 before falling victim to financial and taxation complications.

While the Adani Group, the new custodians of the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, has engaged in preliminary dialogues with Formula One Management, experts note that a concrete return remains a long-term prospect. Speaking to the press ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Norris highlighted India's enormous fan base, estimated at nearly 98 million, and shared his enthusiasm for the circuit.

"Yeah, I've driven, I used to drive it on the sim, on the game. I've never driven the track in real life there, if it's the same track that you went to. It was a very cool track. So I would love to," Norris said.

Norris opens up on his friendship with Jehan Daruvala

Despite never having visited India, Norris maintains strong personal ties to Indian motorsport through his enduring friendship with former junior Formula teammate Jehan Daruvala. Though Daruvala's career stopped short of Formula 1, his close bond with the McLaren star has kept India on Norris' radar.

"I know I have a lot of fans from India, and I remember having Jehan as my teammate, an Indian driver, for many, many years and one of my best friends. And I've still never been to India, so I would love to go to experience it, first of all, but also to go and race there because I'm sure, and I know, that the fans out there love the sport," Norris added.

Despite enthusiastic crowds and local backing, staging a modern Grand Prix requires big financial commitment. Annual hosting fees typically fluctuate between Rs 300 crore and Rs 500 crore, while the Buddh Circuit demands extensive renovations estimated at an additional Rs 150 crore to Rs 200 crore to meet current FIA standards amid global competition.

(With inputs from PTI)