Connect the dots: A Gandhian activist, a former Chief Minister, the heavy metal band Metallica, and a stray dog.

How did these dramatis personae script the anticlimax of India’s F1 story?

Between 2011 and 2013, an ensemble cast of actors joined forces to stage three international Formula One racing events in India. The racing champion Sebastian Vettel shone in all three, and the races were pivotal in establishing the reputation of the Buddh International Circuit, where these motorsport events were held. Although intended to put India on the fast track to motorsport fame, it became the graveyard where Grand Prix dreams crashed and burned.

Designed by German track designer Hermann Tilke, the Buddh International Circuit in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddh Nagar district has a 5.14 km race track with 16 turns, with seating for up to 200,000 spectators. It has a pit building with 41 garages, a race control room, and a VIP gallery with access to two helipads.

But the numbers didn’t quite add up.

Although the racing legend Lewis Hamilton praised Buddh, a world-class motor racing circuit alone wasn’t enough to sustain the big-bucks luxury sport in India. Today, it mostly hosts mediapersons for car launches.

The story of Formula One racing in India began and ended in a blur. But why?

There isn’t exactly a pit-stop answer to that question.

In a nation where fans will pay any price to watch their local heroes shine in a cricket match, F1 was too niche a sport to excite the everyday Indian. Without a strong Indian driver in the fray, it failed to rev up local interest. Although the first race drew 95,000 spectators, some paying as much as ₹21,000 for a seat, subsequent editions did not break even.

To complicate matters, the government viewed Formula One racing not as sport but entertainment. The higher taxes slapped on F1 drove up ticket prices, discouraging spectators and sponsors, and leading to differences with the promoters who wanted to recover their investment. After the last race in 2013, Formula One exited India, and the Buddh circuit has not hosted a Grand Prix since.

Hosts Rahul De and Kailash Koushik join the dots to break down the saga of F1 in India. Listen to ‘Short Circuit - India’s F1 Story’ on your favourite podcast services.

Credits

Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar

For more information and resources, visit our website.

Guess what screams through the air at a whopping 565 km per hour? Not a peregrine falcon. Not a bullet train. Not even a Bugatti on the freeway.

It’s a shuttlecock flying off the racquet of an Indian champion who set the Guinness record for the fastest smash.

In ‘Net-Net’, episode 4 of Economies of Khel, economist Rahul De and media studies expert Kailash Koushik analyse the curious subculture and economic currents shaping one of India’s most cherished sports. They explore how badminton has woven itself into the social fabric of India.

For a sport that began in India as a British colonial import confined to Gymkhana clubs, badminton’s undemanding nature and accessibility helped it to permeate Indian society, carving out a special niche within middle-class neighbourhoods . It became one of the few sports where men and women could play side-by-side, offering a rare space for co-ed interaction in a conservative society. Kailash reflects on how, in these humble settings, badminton was almost like a cup of coffee—casual, accessible, and refreshingly uncompetitive, often played just to enjoy each other’s company.

For Rahul De, the rise of badminton in India can be viewed in two distinct eras: before and after Pullela Gopichand. The former national champion and celebrated coach established the Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad, a powerhouse that has produced champions like Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu. Besides nurturing elite athletes, his academy has propelled the sport into the national consciousness, inspiring a new generation and sparking a surge in badminton courts and academies across the country.

In “Net-Net” we dig into the marketing personas crafted around Indian badminton stars, with Saina’s relatable small-town charm contrasting Sindhu’s high-gloss, urban image. These branding strategies offer a peek into badminton’s dual identity in India, balancing grassroots appeal with a rising, elite-driven professional presence. Today, it’s hard to find a place in India where badminton is not played.

Of course, if you tend to feel claustrophobic inside an indoor court, you can always step outside and enjoy a game of AirBadminton with a specially designed wind-resistant shuttle!

Intrigued? You have to listen to the episode for the rest. Tune in to unpack the fascinating layers of badminton in India.

Credits

Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar

For more information and resources, visit our website: https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/economies-of-khel/net-net-smashingly-curious-about-badminton

Over the past two decades, running in India has transformed from a niche pursuit to a mainstream phenomenon, driven by rising fitness awareness, social influencers, and dedicated running communities. This evolution began in the late 2000s, when tech professionals returning to cities like Bengaluru from the USA brought with them the enthusiasm for long-distance running, a trend that had already gained popularity in the West.

In Bengaluru, communities like the Hashhouse Harriers and pioneers such as KC Kothandapani played a key role in making running accessible and organised. As interest grew, running blossomed into both a passion sport and a profitable industry. International sports brands recognised the market potential, sponsoring marathons and promoting their products through running clubs. Corporate sponsors also encouraged employee participation in fitness events, further fueling the sport’s growth.

The rise of digital platforms enabled running influencers and coaches to gain significant followings, turning running into a viable career for many. Today, running in India thrives, with marathons, half-marathons, and even “runcations” becoming commonplace.

Arvind Bharathi led India’s first running club, Runners for Life, for over a decade, helping bridge the gap between amateur and serious runners. In Run Bhoomi, the third episode of Economies of Khel, Arvind joins hosts Rahul De and Kailash Koushik to share his insights, tracing the passion, culture, and business that have shaped running into a cultural phenomenon in India that blends fitness, community, and commerce.

Credits

Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar

For more information and additional resources, visit our website: https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/economies-of-khel/run-life-run-money