Buddh International Circuit


Configuration for FIM sanctioned events

Configuration for FIA sanctioned events
LocationDankaur (near Greater Noida), Uttar Pradesh, India
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (Indian Standard Time)
Coordinates28°21′2″N 77°32′6″E / 28.35056°N 77.53500°E / 28.35056; 77.53500
Capacity110,000
FIA Grade1[lower-alpha 1]
OwnerJaypee Group
OperatorJaypee Sports International Limited
Opened18 October 2011 (2011-10-18)
Construction cost₹2,000 crore (US$250 million)[1]
ArchitectHermann Tilke
Major eventsCurrent:
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Indian motorcycle Grand Prix (2023–present)
Former:
Formula One
Indian Grand Prix (2011–2013)
Asia Road Racing Championship (2016)
Websitebuddhinternationalcircuit.in
Grand Prix Circuit (2011–present)
SurfaceAsphalt concrete with Graywacke aggregate
Length5.125 km (3.185 miles)
Turns16
Race lap record1:27.249 (Germany Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB7, 2011, F1)
Motorcycle Circuit (2011–present)
SurfaceAsphalt concrete with Graywacke aggregate
Length5.010 km (3.113 miles)
Turns13
Race lap record1:45.028 (Italy Marco Bezzecchi, Ducati Desmosedici GP22, 2023, MotoGP)
Short Circuit (2011–present)
SurfaceAsphalt concrete with Graywacke aggregate
Length3.100 km (1.927 miles)
Turns6
Race lap record1:47.204 (Czech Republic David Vršecký, Tata Prima Racing, 2017, Truck racing)

The Buddh International Circuit is an Indian motor racing circuit situated at Dankaur, near Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh.[2] The track shares its name with Gautama Buddha, as does the district of its location. The track was officially inaugurated on 18 October 2011.[3]

The 5.125 km (3.185 mi) long circuit was designed by German racetrack designer Hermann Tilke.[4][5] The circuit is best known as the venue for the annual Formula One Indian Grand Prix, which was first hosted in October 2011.[6] However, the Grand Prix was suspended for 2014 and subsequently cancelled due to a tax dispute with the Government of Uttar Pradesh during the Akhilesh Yadav administration.[7]

History

Image of Buddh international Circuit showing the race circuit, paddock and gallery.
An Aerial image of the circuit, as it appeared in 2021

2000s

In 2007, a tentative agreement to host the Indian Grand Prix was reached between the Indian Olympic Association and Bernie Ecclestone, then chief-executive of the Formula One Group. A site in Greater Noida in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh was chosen as the location of the track that would host the race.[8] Delays in the procurement of the land and construction were reported in early 2009 owing in part to the ongoing financial crisis.[9] The design of the track was ultimately revealed in November 2009.[10]

The venue was slated to debut during the 2010 Formula One season, with construction scheduled to be completed in time. However, this date was pushed back and the inaugural race eventually took place the following year.[11]

2010s

The first Indian Grand Prix was held at the Buddh International Circuit on 30 October 2011. It was initially scheduled to take place in December 2011. However, following scheduling conflicts with the Bahrain Grand Prix and its subsequent cancellation, the race was rescheduled to October.[12] The inaugural race was won by Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel, who started from pole position. He also set the fastest lap and therefore race lap record that year, which stood for the following two Grands Prix.

During the 2012 Formula One season and the second Formula One race to take place at the circuit, Sebastian Vettel took pole once again, led every lap and went on to win the race. The fastest lap of the race was set by McLaren's Jenson Button.

The following year, the Indian Grand Prix was the sixteenth race in a nineteen-race season. Sebastian Vettel started on pole and subsequently won the race. Vettel also secured his fourth consecutive Formula One World Drivers' Championship at this race, beating his closest challenger, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who finished 11th. Red Bull also secured its fourth consecutive Constructors' Championship. The fastest lap of the race was set by Lotus' Kimi Räikkönen. This was the last Formula One race held at the circuit.

The track was not slated to be part of the 2014 season. One reason given was the rescheduling of the Indian Grand Prix to March for 2014, which made little sense after a race in October 2013.[13] Its appearance in the 2015 season was subsequently ruled out in mid-2014, citing contractual and taxation issues.[14]

The owners were unable to significantly recover their investments through all three seasons the races were held, and were forced to write off losses worth at least $25.1 million.[15] In 2016, the owners reiterated their desire to not sell the circuit to other buyers, despite its high maintenance costs, their own financial distress, and the lack of future scheduled international sporting events.[16] The circuit has continued to host smaller local racing series and championships, including the JK Tyre National Racing Championship which includes open-wheel racing as well as motorcycle racing,[17][18] and open track days.[19]

Tax dispute

The Buddh International Circuit is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, subject to its local taxes as well as national customs duties. The first signs of a dispute arose in 2009: in a letter to the promoters JPSK Sports, the Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports denied JPSK Sports permission to remit $36.5 million in licensing fees to Formula One administration headquarters in London. The reason given, by the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh - Akhilesh Yadav, was the nature of Formula One, considered not to be a sport but rather entertainment, and its perceived lack of impact on the development of sports in the country.[20] Customs fees for imported components including engines and tyres were not waived, and tax exemptions given to other sports were not offered to the organisers.[21] Fees worth $51.3 million, meant to be paid by Jaypee Sports to Formula One World Championship Limited (FOWC), were still pending as of Liberty Media's acquisition of the Formula One Group in 2016.[22] The government's expectation of tax revenue meant that Jaypee was prevented from paying its dues to FOWC.[23]

In a judgement issued in April 2017, the Supreme Court of India ruled that the circuit constituted a 'permanent establishment', and as such FOWC was liable to pay taxes on any income accrued by it in India, estimated at 40% of business income.[24] It considered royalty payments made by Jaypee to FOWC to be business income as well, subject to tax, which contradicted the original agreement between Jaypee and FOWC that stipulated that any fees would be paid free of taxes.[25] Liberty Media was prepared to settle the due amount in July 2017, setting aside $14.8 million.[23]

2020s

For 2022, it was planned that Buddh International Circuit would host events for the Formula Regional Indian Championship and the F4 Indian Championship,[26] however both championships were cancelled in 2022.[27] The circuit also hosted the Indian motorcycle Grand Prix from 2023 as part of the MotoGP World Championship.[28]

Design

Formula One racing's governing body, the FIA, had announced the inclusion of the Indian Grand Prix for 30 October 2011.[29] Estimated to cost about ₹20 billion[30] ($400 million) to build, the circuit has a length of 5.125 km (3.185 mi) and is spread over an area of 874 acres (354 ha)[31] and is another creation of Hermann Tilke. The circuit was officially inaugurated on 18 October 2011,[32] just about two weeks before the first race. The seating capacity is initially expected to be 110,000[30] with provisions to increase it to 200,000[33] later on.

Circuit

The circuit is part of the 2,500 acres (1,000 ha) Jaypee Greens Sports City,[31] which has increasingly delayed plans to include a 100,000 seating capacity international cricket stadium, 18-hole golf course, 25,000 seat field hockey stadium and a sports academy. The circuit design incorporated feedback from the teams on how the circuit could be altered to improve overtaking. This resulted in some minor changes before 2010: the planned hairpin at turn seven was removed, and the track at turn three was widened to allow drivers to take different lines throughout the corner. More information was released in August 2010, revealing that there were plans to make the circuit one of the most challenging for drivers, with the circuit rising fourteen metres within the first three corners alone and a banked double-apex bend on the far side of the circuit,[34] nicknamed the Currybolica, as a reference to the infamous banked Parabolica corner on the Monza Circuit in Italy. The track has since been praised by drivers, including Lewis Hamilton who compared it to the classic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.[35]

The banked multi-apex turn 10–11–12 sequence is one of the most notable sections of the circuit. It has been likened to the long, fast Turn 8 at Turkey's Istanbul Park circuit as it is a challenging sequence that generates high tyre loadings. Unlike Turkey's Turn 8, it tightens on exit and is a clockwise right-hander. Although it is not one of the main overtaking points, it is the corner that shows F1 cars to their full cornering potential. The circuit's main straight, at 1.06 km (0.66 mi), is among the longest in F1, with a key overtaking point at its end. The pitlane is also one of the longest in F1, at more than 600 metres: as in most races with pit stops, time spent in the pitlane is an important factor in determining race strategies.[36]

Before the opening weekend, the expected lap time for a Formula One car around the track was 1 minute, 27.02 seconds, at an average speed of 210.03 km/h (130.51 mph). At the end of the long straight between corners 3 and 4, Formula One cars were expected to reach a top speed of about 318 km/h (198 mph).[37] In the inaugural qualifying session, Sebastian Vettel turned in a lap time of 1 minute, 24.178 seconds, beating the predicted lap times from tyre manufacturer Pirelli. Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari posted the top speed through the speed trap, reaching 324.2 km/h (201.4 mph).

The relatively compact circuit was due to host a GT1 World Championship round as the season finale in December 2012,[38] but the event was cancelled.

The circuit was due to host a Superbike World Championship round for four seasons, starting in 2013.[39] However, the 2013 race was cancelled due to operational charges of Buddh International Circuit.[40]

From 2014 to 2022, there were no international championships have raced at the circuit except the Asia Road Racing Championship race in 2016. From 2023, the circuit hosts the Indian motorcycle Grand Prix as part of the MotoGP World Championship.

Reception

The reception among drivers was positive,[41] with praise for the high-speed layout and challenging corner combinations that Jenson Button described as difficult to drive in a consistently quick fashion.

The circuit has been often compared by F1 drivers to the classic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, a track known for high speeds and the type of corner-to-corner flow that comes from natural terrain. Inaugural winner Sebastian Vettel praised the track saying that "there is a lot of elevation change around the lap which adds to the fun, from as much as 8% downhill and up to 10% uphill; it's like a roller coaster. It really has emerged as one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar for the drivers."[42]

Originally known as the Jaypee Group Circuit or the Jaypee International Circuit after the circuit's owners, the circuit was officially named the Buddh International Circuit in April 2011. According to Mr Sameer Gaur, the MD and CEO of Jaypee Sports International Limited, the name 'Buddh International Circuit' has been chosen with reference to the area where the racetrack is situated – Gautam Buddh Nagar district. Because of its location, naming the circuit 'Buddh International Circuit' was a logical choice for the company.[43]

The logo consists of a stylized 'B' in the shape of a heart, which stands for 'Buddh' and 'Bharat' (the native name of India). The saffron, green and white colours used in the logo are representative of the Indian flag, while the curves in the stylized 'B' in the logo represent the lines of a racetrack.[44]

Awards and recognition

Buddh International Circuit, which hosted India's first Formula One Grand Prix on 30 October 2011, has been awarded the '2011 Motorsport Facility of the Year' award at the Professional Motorsport World Expo 2011.[45] BIC has also been honored with the 'Best Promoter Trophy' for the successful conduct of Formula One races in 2011 & 2012 at the FIA prize-giving gala.[46]

Events

Current
Former

Lap records

As of September 2023, the fastest official race lap records at the Buddh International Circuit are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleEvent
Grand Prix Circuit: 5.125 km (2011–present)
F11:27.249Sebastian VettelRed Bull RB72011 Indian Grand Prix
Formula BMW1:59.395[47]Nabil JeffriMygale FB022012 2nd Buddh JK Racing Asia Series round
Motorcycle Circuit: 5.010 km (2011–present)
MotoGP1:45.028Marco BezzecchiDucati Desmosedici GP222023 Indian motorcycle Grand Prix
Moto21:52.104Pedro AcostaKalex Moto22023 Indian motorcycle Grand Prix
Supersport1:55.855[48]Anthony WestYamaha YZF-R62016 Buddh ARRC round
Moto31:59.472Ayumu SasakiHusqvarna FR250GP2023 Indian motorcycle Grand Prix
Asia Productions 2502:16.051[49]Peerapong LoiboonpenYamaha YZF-R252016 Buddh ARRC round
Asia Dream Cup2:24.183[50]Zhou Shung Jun JieHonda CBR250R2016 Buddh ARRC round
Asia Underbone 1302:27.020[51]Florianus Roy BrilyaYamaha T-1502016 Buddh ARRC round
Short Circuit: 3.100 km (2011–present)
Truck racing1:47.204[52]David VršeckýTata Prima Racing2017 T1 Prima Truck Racing Championship

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Buddh International Circuit's Grade 1 license expired 18 November 2022.

References

  1. ↑ "Why India's Formula 1 Grand Prix is under threat". BBC News. 24 October 2013. Archived from the original on 27 October 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  2. ↑ Mansi Taneja (26 October 2013). "As F1 cars zoom in Buddh circuit, realty prices soar along expressway". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 22 July 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  3. ↑ "Indian F1 venue Buddh International Circuit to open today". OnCars. 18 October 2011. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  4. ↑ "Drivers praise Indian Grand Prix circuit - BBC Sport". 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  5. ↑ "Philosophy behind the Buddh International Circuit" (PDF). Jaypee Sports. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2011.
  6. ↑ "India company says on track for 2011 F1 race". Reuters. 15 April 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  7. ↑ "Ecclestone rules out 2015 Indian GP". The Hindu. 22 August 2014. Archived from the original on 20 January 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  8. ↑ "How India Made Its Grand Prix Dream Come True - The New York Times". The New York Times. 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  9. ↑ "Bernie Ecclestone 'fully commited [sic]' to Indian Grand Prix - Telegraph". 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  10. ↑ "Indian F1 track design revealed · RaceFans". 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  11. ↑ "Indian Grand Prix debut pushed back to 2011: Formula One - Telegraph". 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  12. ↑ "India officially reinstated on October 30 | Formula 1 | Formula 1 news, live F1 | ESPN.co.uk". 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  13. ↑ "Indian GP dropped from F1 calendar for 2014 - Telegraph". 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  14. ↑ "Ecclestone rules out 2015 Indian GP - The Hindu". The Hindu. 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  15. ↑ "Analysis: Why India doesn't find a place on F1 calendar". 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  16. ↑ "Debt-ridden Jaypee Group has no plans to sell Buddh International Circuit F1 track". The Indian Express. 28 October 2016. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  17. ↑ "JK Tyre India Series Racing Championship". www.jktyremotorsport.com. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  18. ↑ "JK Tyre FMSCI Indian National Racing Championship – 2018 – FMSCI". 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  19. ↑ "Buddh International Circuit To Hold Track Day On September 2, 2018 - NDTV CarAndBike". 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  20. ↑ "Formula One is not a sport, says sports ministry | News - Times of India". The Times of India. 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  21. ↑ "Why F1 is a sport for everyone other than the government - Firstpost". www.firstpost.com. 22 September 2011. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  22. ↑ "Formula One still seeking £41m in fees for Indian Grand Prix". 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  23. 1 2 "Formula One Burns Up $14.8 Million Tax Bill On Indian Grand Prix". Forbes. 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  24. ↑ "Supreme Court Orders Taxes On Formula 1 For Indian Grand Prix - NDTV CarAndBike". 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  25. ↑ Sylt, Christian (4 December 2016). "Formula One still seeking £41m in fees for Indian Grand Prix". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  26. ↑ "Formula Regional Indian Championship to feature Hyderabad street race". Autocar India. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  27. ↑ Series, F1 Feeder (28 October 2022). "Exclusive: Indian feeder series FRIC & Indian F4 cancelled". F1 Feeder Series. Retrieved 9 November 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  28. ↑ "MotoGP™ to race in India from 2023". 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  29. ↑ "India officially reinstated on October 30". ESPN. 15 June 2011. Archived from the original on 13 September 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  30. 1 2 "A whole new ballgame". Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  31. 1 2 "Jaypee". The Times Of India. 4 December 2009. Archived from the original on 26 September 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
  32. ↑ "Buddh International Circuit inaugurated for India's F1 date". The Times of India. 18 October 2011. Archived from the original on 30 December 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  33. ↑ Deepa Jainani (16 January 2009). "India on course for 2011 F1 Grand Prix". The Financial Express. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  34. ↑ "Team input "invaluable" to Indian circuit". Archived from the original on 30 August 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  35. ↑ "Hamilton: BIC circuit is something of a revelation". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 22 October 2012. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  36. ↑ "World Motor Sport Council: 27/10/2011". fia.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 27 October 2011. Archived from the original on 4 November 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  37. ↑ "India names F1 track after Buddha – Buddh International Circuit". Inautonews.com. 9 April 2011. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  38. ↑ "India's Buddh International Circuit to host finale of 2012 GT1 Championship". GT1 World Championship. Autocar India. 13 February 2012. Archived from the original on 12 May 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  39. ↑ "India's Buddh International Circuit to join 2013 World Superbike calendar". Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. 9 June 2012. Archived from the original on 13 June 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  40. ↑ "The Superbike World Championship cancels its 2013 season-ending round in India". Superbike World Championship. foxsports.com. 15 August 2013. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  41. ↑ "India: Friday practice – selected team and driver quotes". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. 28 October 2011. Archived from the original on 4 July 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  42. ↑ "Drivers praise India's 'Spa-like' Buddh circuit". 22 October 2012. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  43. ↑ "Indian track titled Buddh International". Autosport. 25 April 2011. Archived from the original on 29 April 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  44. ↑ "Philosophy behind the name and the logo" (PDF). Jaypee Sports. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2011.
  45. ↑ "Buddh International Circuit wins '2011 Motorsport Facility of the Year' award". indian car bikes. 18 November 2011. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  46. ↑ "BIC bagged Motorsport Facility of the Year award". F1 India. 25 November 2011. Archived from the original on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  47. ↑ "2012 JKRAS Round 16, Buddh International Circuit". 2 December 2012. Archived from the original on 18 June 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  48. ↑ "2016 Asia Road Racing Championship Buddh International Circuit Supersports 600cc - Race 2" (PDF). 2 October 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  49. ↑ "2016 Asia Road Racing Championship Buddh International Circuit Asia Production 250cc - Race 1" (PDF). 1 October 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  50. ↑ "2016 Asia Road Racing Championship Buddh International Circuit Asia Dream Cup - Race 2" (PDF). 2 October 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  51. ↑ "2016 Asia Road Racing Championship Buddh International Circuit Asia Underbone 130cc - Race 1" (PDF). 1 October 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  52. ↑ "David Vrsecky of Dealer Daredevils wins PRO CLASS CATEGORY race of T1 PRIMA TRUCK RACING CHAMPIONSHIP – SEASON 4". 19 March 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
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