Buddh Circuit Roars Again: Indian Racing Festival Brings High-Octane Action Back to Greater Noida
The F4 Indian Championship and Indian Racing League return to the iconic Buddh International Circuit for high-octane action this October.
The thunder of high-performance engines is returning to Greater Noida as the Indian Racing Festival brings FIA-level racing back to the iconic Buddh International Circuit (BIC) after a hiatus of 13 years. On October 31 and November 1, the circuit will play host to Round 4 of the F4 Indian Championship and Round 2 of the Indian Racing League (IRL) for their 2026 campaigns.
The 5.125-kilometre track, which holds a legendary status in Indian motorsport for having hosted the Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix and MotoGP Bharat, provides an international-standard stage for the next chapter of domestic racing. For motorsport enthusiasts in the Delhi-NCR region, this event marks a rare opportunity to witness elite speed and competition at a permanent circuit right in their backyard.
F4 Indian Championship: A Tight Title Race
The F4 Indian Championship arrives at the Buddh International Circuit following a dramatic third round at the Madras International Circuit, where the leaderboard was shaken up by stellar performances.
Luviwe Sambudla of Goa Aces JA Racing emerged as the man to beat. In a display of pure dominance, Sambudla climbed from sixth on the grid to win the first two races of the weekend before securing a third-place finish in the final race. This surge has propelled him to the top of the standings with 138 points, holding a 21-point lead over Aris Kyriakou of Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru.
Rising Stars and Record Breakers
While Sambudla leads the charge, other drivers are proving they have the pace to challenge for the title:
- Ntiyiso Mabunda: Representing Speed Demons Delhi, Mabunda was the picture of consistency in Chennai, securing second place in all three races. His most impressive feat was charging from 10th on the grid to a second-place finish in the opening race.
- Aaron Mehta: The Kolkata Royal Tigers driver made history by winning the third race from pole position, narrowly beating Mabunda by a mere 0.546 seconds. At just 15 years, six months, and six days old, Mehta has officially become the youngest winner in the history of the Indian F4.
As the championship moves to the Buddh International Circuit, Sambudla will be fighting to extend his lead, while the chasing pack aims to close the gap in what promises to be a pivotal round of the season.
Indian Racing League: Round 2 Ready
Simultaneously, the Indian Racing League (IRL) is gearing up for its second round of the season. Drivers and teams are preparing for the unique challenges posed by the BIC layout, looking to maximize their points and solidify their positions in the season standings.
With the F4 title battle intensifying and the IRL drivers entering their second major test, the weekend is set to be a showcase of skill, strategy, and raw speed at one of India's premier racing venues.