Lando Norris weighs in on his fans from India and driving the Buddh International Circuit, amid talks of a revival of the F1 circuit.
For some months now, India has been pushing like most other nations to host an F1 race, especially for the sport to return to the Buddh International Circuit. After it went off the calendar post the 2013 edition due to tax issues, it has never made a return despite a push for it.
Government’s Push to Revive F1 Indian GP
The latest push came around via backing from Adani Group, which is embroiled in a court case against Vedanta Group for the ownership of Buddh circuit’s parent company, Jaypee Group. The Indian company has huge debt on its head due to taxes paid.
As such, the Indian government is trying to get the Indian GP back on the calendar, with one eye on the Olympics bid. The more international events India can host in the time to come, the better its chances of securing the rights to host the Summer Olympics.
Much like the Sepang circuit in Malaysia, the Buddh circuit has been driven by only a handful of the current F1 grid. Naturally, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso form the pair to have driven it along with Nico Hulkenberg, Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez – the veterans.
Karun Chandok seen at the Buddh International Circuit during Red Bull Moto Jam in Greater Noida, India on February 26, 2026. // Focus Sports / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202603010239 // Usage for editorial use only //
The younger F1 Drivers are Yet to Get Taste of Buddh Circuit
None of the younger crop have driven the Buddh circuit, which won laurels from F1 drivers then for the track having a character much like the other new circuit of that time, the Circuit of the Americas. McLaren’s Norris is also part of that young driver group.
The Brit has driven it on the simulator and certainly likes the layout. He hopes that there will be an Indian GP again in the future, as he knows and values his fans from India. He had been friends with former teammate Jehan Daruvala, who left racing altogether.
Norris Cherishes Fans from India
ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS – AUGUST 21: Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren talks in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on August 21, 2026 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Photo by Pauline Ballet/LAT Images)
“Yeah, I’ve driven, I used to drive it on the sim, on the game,” said Norris. “I’ve never driven the track in real life there, if it’s the same track that you went to. Yeah, and it was a very cool track, I think. So I would love to. 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. They love Formula 1 and they love sport in general. And I know cricket and things like that are massive out there. So I think it’ll be great for Formula 1, and I certainly look forward to it happening,” summed up Norris.