Formula One won’t happen before 2029, but pushing for WRC: Arindam

Even as there is a renewed push to bring Formula One back to India, FMSCI president Arindam Ghosh said the federation is also pursuing opportunities to bring the World Rally Championship (WRC) to the country.

“F1 won’t happen before 2029, but I am pushing for WRC before that. You don’t need huge infrastructure for that. What we need is road sanitisation and government administration support. The government is supportive of it,” said Arindam on the sidelines of the launch of the Chennai Turbo Riders-JK Tyre FMSCI Indian National Car Racing Championship 2026 here on Wednesday.

“I won’t be shocked if, instead of BIC, we are having a street circuit as we don’t have a maintenance issue right through the year,” he added.

The logo of the new National championship was launched by A. Srinath, Minister of Fisheries & Fisherman Welfare, Govt. of TN.

“I would like to express my gratitude to CTR and JK Tyre for their support and commitment to promoting motorsport in the country, and creating a road safety awareness,” said Srinath.

Akbar Ebrahim, Member, FIA World Motor Sport Council and President, FIA International Karting Commission, said: “Indian motorsport is being keenly viewed and watched by the FIA as it is a very important country at the global level.”

The first two rounds of the four-round season will be held at the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore (Sept. 11-13 and Oct. 23-25).

The third round will be run at BREN Raceway in Bengaluru (Nov. 13-15) while the final round will be at the Madras International Circuit (Dec. 11-13).

There will be seven categories in the National championship: Indian Super Touring Cars, Indian Touring Cars, Indian Junior Touring Cars, Super Stock, Levitas Cup, Formula LGB F4 and Formula 1300.