F1 announces return of Turkish GP from 2027 on five-year deal

Turkey was last on the full-time calendar in 2011 (Umit Bektas - Pool/Getty Images) Share article1Formula 1 will return to Turkey from 2027 as the grand prix at Istanbul Park returns on a five-year deal to 2031, taking the final free slot on the calendar. Turkey hosted its first F1 grand prix in 2005 and remained on the calendar through to the 2011 season before dropping off the full-time schedule. The race was revived in 2020 and 2021 as a stand-in event when the calendar was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton clinched a record-equalling seventh world championship, while Valtteri Bottas won the most recent edition of the race for Mercedes in 2021. But Turkey will now return to the calendar on a permanent basis from 2027, F1 announced on Friday. The announcement comes after long-running talks between F1 and the promoters of the race at Istanbul Park about bringing the sport back to Turkey. In February, F1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali said a return to Turkey was “not 100 per cent confirmed” but to “stay tuned,” hinting at the ongoing discussions around the race. BREAKING: The Turkish Grand Prix will return to the calendar from 2027 as part of a new five-year agreement 🇹🇷#F1 #TurkishGP pic.twitter.com/MAfhrOCnTH — Formula 1 (@F1) April 24, 2026 Domenicali has been clear on wanting to keep at 24 races instead of expanding to its maximum limit of 25. “We are delighted to be returning to the incredible and vibrant city of Istanbul from 2027 to thrill all our fans in Turkey and around the world on one of the most exciting and challenging circuits in Formula 1,” the F1 CEO said in a statement. “As a city, Istanbul represents a cultural gateway between Europe and Asia, offering a unique blend of history and tradition with a forward-thinking approach to sport, business, and entertainment.” Turkey will be one of two fresh additions to next season’s F1 calendar, alongside the Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimão, which was announced last December on a two-year deal. These races will replace the Dutch Grand Prix, the final edition of which will be held at Zandvoort in August — after F1 and the promoters mutually agreed against a contract extension — and the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, which will return in 2028 as part of a rotation with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa. F1 also retains interest from a number of other countries about potentially hosting a grand prix in the future, including Rwanda, Thailand and South Korea. More recently, the Indian sports minister expressed interest in bringing F1 back to New Delhi, which had a race from 2011-13. But all of these races are still a long way from becoming a firm project with long-lasting potential, with Domenicali saying in February that he saw adding a completely new flyaway race as being “not in a short time.” “I would say these things can happen after 2029, because we have other expirations of contracts,” Domenicali told reporters. “So there is a very evolving situation. (It’s) very positive, because we have a quality problem to say that we can take decision on where we want to go.” Istanbul Park was highly regarded by drivers due to its challenging layout and fast-flowing corners. The circuit was designed by legendary track designer Hermann Tilke, with its highlight being the long, left-hand Turn 8 that provided a peak lateral G-force of 5G. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms