Former MotoGP rider Karel Abraham and his motorsport events and advisory company AVW Global are working on plans to bring MotoGP back to India. The firm has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Uttar Pradesh’s State Transformation Commission to facilitate hosting international-level motorcycle racing, including MotoGP and the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) at the Buddh International Circuit.
This news comes just days after Karan Adani (managing director of Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd) shared he was “personally engaged” in bringing F1 back to India. Adani Group is vying for debt-ridden Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL), the parent company for various businesses of Jaypee Group, which also owns the Buddh International Circuit. Should Adani’s acquisition go through, it certainly paves the way for new commercial negotiations.
1. New deal pushing to bring MotoGP, ARRC to India
2. UP government looking to build sustainable ecosystem around BIC
Uttar Pradesh government pushing for MotoGP India return
Focus also on developing homegrown talent
AVW Global was exploring multiple locations for MotoGP’s India return. However, Abraham stressed that the Buddh International Circuit remained the prime focus, specially since it has already hosted a MotoGP race in the past. “I think the Buddh circuit has very good grounds – the quality and the level that we require for a world championship,” he told Autocar India in an exclusive interview.
Furthermore, MotoGP’s new owners Liberty Media are looking to grow the championship’s audience. With India being the largest two-wheeler market in the world, there’s plenty of interest from the MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (formerly known as Dorna). Abraham stressed that this time around, the focus is also on developing homegrown talent in India.
“[India is a] a huge market with huge potential, not only to bring businesses here and get sponsors, but also to raise young talent for the future,” he said. “That is also something that the GP here will help educate. [It] will help train and raise new talent from India that might be racing in MotoGP [in the future]. I think that is something that the championship needs as well.”
ARRC could race at BIC as early as 2026
Alongside MotoGP, efforts are also underway to bring the ARRC to India. In fact, we could see an ARRC round at the Buddh International Circuit this year itself with Ron Hogg (Promotions Director, Two Wheels Motor Racing) sharing “We are delighted to be represented by AVW Global in India. It is a significant market with deeply passionate fans, and we look forward to racing here as early as July-August, 2026.”
The series has plenty of India relevance as well Honda India and TVS India participation. Moreover, the TVS Asia One Make Championship also serves as a supporting event.
MotoGP India: The journey so far
MotoGP commercial rights holder Dorna Sports had initially signed a seven-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Noida-based Fairstreet Sports to race in India. While the inaugural race in 2023 was affected by operational issues and extreme heat, the Buddh International Circuit itself garnered praise from several riders.
The 2024 Indian GP was, however, cancelled and pushed to 2025 with “weather concerns” cited as the official reason. But reports at the time suggested that promoter Fairstreet Sports had not paid the full hosting fee to Dorna on time. Fairstreet Sports denied these claims, stating that Dorna was aware that payments would be delayed due to the upcoming General Elections.
Just weeks later, Dorna signed a new three-year agreement directly with the Uttar Pradesh government, effectively removing Fairstreet Sports from the arrangement. In August 2024, the state government issued a tender to find a new race promoter, but this was later recalled and reissued in September 2024.
Finally, in late September, Dorna confirmed that the Indian had been dropped from the 2025 calendar as well due to “operational circumstances” The statement at the time maintained that the Indian GP would return in 2026. However, despite these promises, India didn’t find a spot on the 2026 MotoGP calendar either.
Paving the way for MotoGP at BIC
The new MoU signed marks the first concrete steps taken towards the Indian GP’s return. “AVW Global will help Uttar Pradesh bring motorcycle racing back to India in a truly professional manner. Fans in the state and across the country are eager to witness these iconic machines on track again,” said Manoj Kumar Singh, CEO, State Transformation Commission, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
He added, “Uttar Pradesh is committed to enabling a cohesive ecosystem for motorsport and youth development. High-octane racing is coming to the state very soon. We are determined to utilise the Buddh International Circuit- a world-class racing facility- to its fullest potential and build a sustainable ecosystem around it.”
Having Karel Abraham onboard also brings in the MotoGP experience required to pull off such a project. Alongside his stint as a rider, he’s also had plenty of race operation experience as the former owner and operator of the Brno Circuit in the Czech Republic. While no timeline has been set just yet for MotoGP’s India return, Abraham says the goal is to put India back on the MotoGP calendar “as soon as possible” and he’s expecting negotiations to start this year itself.
