News Summary
- Lando Norris has backed efforts to bring the Indian GP back to Formula 1 after being asked about a recently formed government task force.
- The McLaren driver revealed that he has never visited India, despite having a substantial fan base there.
- Norris remembers racing the Buddh International Circuit in simulators and believes an F1 return would be welcomed by Indian fans.
Lando Norris has expressed his support for a return of the Indian Grand Prix, revealing that he has never visited India despite having a substantial following in the country.
The reigning Formula 1 world champion was asked during Thursday’s FIA press conference in Singapore about renewed government efforts to bring the championship back to India, including a task force examining the possibility of reviving the event.
Norris said he would welcome the opportunity to race there, having previously experienced the Buddh International Circuit only through simulators and racing games.
Norris remembers India’s F1 circuit from simulators
India hosted three Formula 1 Grands Prix between 2011 and 2013 at the Buddh International Circuit near New Delhi, with Sebastian Vettel winning all three for Red Bull.
Norris has never competed at the circuit in Formula 1, but he remembers its layout from his earlier years.
“I’ve driven, I used to drive it on the sim, on the game. I’ve never driven the track in real life there,” he said. “And it was a very cool track, I think. So I would love to.”
The McLaren driver also highlighted his friendship with former junior single-seater rival Jehan Daruvala, whom he knew during his progression towards Formula 1.
Norris wants to experience India and its fans
Norris acknowledged the size of his Indian fan base and said a Grand Prix would provide an opportunity to visit the country for the first time.
“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,” Norris said. “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.”
He also praised the country’s enthusiasm for sport, particularly cricket, and said a return would be positive for Formula 1.
“I’m sure, and I know, that the fans out there love the sport. They love Formula 1 and they love sport in general. And I know cricket and things like that are massive out there.”
Indian GP return remains under consideration
Formula 1 has not announced a new Indian Grand Prix contract or confirmed a return date. The task force mentioned during the press conference represents renewed interest in the event, rather than a completed agreement.
India’s previous three-year spell on the calendar ended after 2013, and the Buddh International Circuit has not hosted a Formula 1 World Championship race since.
Norris would be among the drivers experiencing the venue for the first time if the championship eventually returns.
GRANDE PRÊMIO follows the latest Formula 1 news and developments surrounding the championship’s future calendar.
F1 today: FAQ
What time is the 2026 Singapore GP?
The Singapore GP starts at 20:00 local time on Sunday, October 11. That is 13:00 in the UK, 08:00 ET in the US and Canada and 17:30 in India. Singapore is a sprint weekend, with sprint qualifying on Friday and the sprint on Saturday.
Why does George Russell have a grid penalty in Singapore?
Russell has exhausted his permitted allocation of four engines after suffering a power-unit failure at Sepang. Mercedes must introduce another unit, triggering a grid penalty for Sunday’s Grand Prix. The penalty does not apply to Saturday’s sprint.
Can Kimi Antonelli win the F1 championship in Singapore?
No. Antonelli leads Russell by 84 points, 320 to 236, but cannot mathematically secure the 2026 title in Singapore. His first opportunity to become world champion comes at the United States GP in Austin.
Is Formula 1 returning to India?
No return has been officially confirmed. Norris was asked about renewed government efforts to revive the Indian GP, but F1 has not announced a race date or contract.
