<p class="title">The sole Indian presence on the Formula 1 grid has ended with the sport's connectivity partner, Tata Communications, deciding to end its sponsorship agreement after an eight-year association.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A source close to the Indian company confirmed the development to PTI.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Yes, both Tata Communications and Formula 1 have ended their partnership. The sponsorship deal ended on December 31," the source said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Pune-based provider of telecommunications solutions and services contributed significantly to sport's digital transformation. Tata Communications has also worked extensively with champion outfit Mercedes, who have been winning the Formula 1 constructors' title since 2014.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Besides Mercedes, Tata has also worked with Williams, as recently as last season.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Under new owners, Liberty Media, which took over in January 2017, Formula 1 has embarked on an intense digital journey in times when more people are live streaming race content than watching it on television.</p>.<p class="bodytext">In 2018, Formula 1 introduced a television subscription streaming service with an aim to engage 500 million fans worldwide.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Tata was the sole remaining Indian presence in the sport following the unceremonious exit of Vijay Mallya from Force India (now called Racing Point) in 2017.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The last Indian to race in Formula 1 was Narain Karthikeyan who drove for the defunct HRT squad in 2012. The only other Indian to have reached the pinnacle of motor racing is Karun Chandhok.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India hosted a Formula 1 race for three years (2011-2013), at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, before it was dropped from the calendar due to financial and taxation issues.</p>.<p class="bodytext">According to Forbes magazine, Tata Communications was paying Formula 1 USD 4 million annually as part of the deal.</p>
<p class="title">The sole Indian presence on the Formula 1 grid has ended with the sport's connectivity partner, Tata Communications, deciding to end its sponsorship agreement after an eight-year association.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A source close to the Indian company confirmed the development to PTI.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Yes, both Tata Communications and Formula 1 have ended their partnership. The sponsorship deal ended on December 31," the source said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Pune-based provider of telecommunications solutions and services contributed significantly to sport's digital transformation. Tata Communications has also worked extensively with champion outfit Mercedes, who have been winning the Formula 1 constructors' title since 2014.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Besides Mercedes, Tata has also worked with Williams, as recently as last season.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Under new owners, Liberty Media, which took over in January 2017, Formula 1 has embarked on an intense digital journey in times when more people are live streaming race content than watching it on television.</p>.<p class="bodytext">In 2018, Formula 1 introduced a television subscription streaming service with an aim to engage 500 million fans worldwide.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Tata was the sole remaining Indian presence in the sport following the unceremonious exit of Vijay Mallya from Force India (now called Racing Point) in 2017.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The last Indian to race in Formula 1 was Narain Karthikeyan who drove for the defunct HRT squad in 2012. The only other Indian to have reached the pinnacle of motor racing is Karun Chandhok.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India hosted a Formula 1 race for three years (2011-2013), at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, before it was dropped from the calendar due to financial and taxation issues.</p>.<p class="bodytext">According to Forbes magazine, Tata Communications was paying Formula 1 USD 4 million annually as part of the deal.</p>