Turkey preparing bid to rejoin F1 calendar

Turkish motorsport officials are aiming to clinch a long-term return of Formula 1 to Istanbul, and are prepared to step in and host a grand prix as early as 2026 if required. 

Turkey hosted F1 annually between 2005 and 2011 at Istanbul Park, a Hermann Tilke-designed venue on the Asian side of the Bosporus, until it was dropped from the calendar due to funding issues. 

The race returned during the COVID-19 impacted 2020 and 2021 seasons as a stop-gap solution to fill out the calendar, and officials are now working on a permanent return. 

Istanbul Park was recently transferred to TOSFED, the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation, with federation president Eren Uclertopragi adamant that he would like to see F1 back in Turkey on a permanent basis. 

Speaking to the Turkish edition of Autosport’s sister site Motorsport.com, Uclertopragi said his federation was prepared to step in as early as 2026 in case of issues with one of the 24 races on the calendar, which was announced in June, with F1’s Spanish Grand Prix at a new venue in Madrid still pending circuit construction and homologation. 

“There is a strong commitment from the government to bring Turkey back into the Formula 1 calendar with a permanent and long-term agreement,” Uclertopragi said. 

“As is known, the 2026 calendar has already been announced. Nevertheless, in the event that a race cannot be held for various reasons, we could host the Turkish Grand Prix. 

“However, unlike during the pandemic, we do not want to host a one-off replacement race; instead, we aim to secure a place on the calendar through a long-term contract.” 

Uclertopragi added that the proposal has the full backing from the country’s government, which was a key issue when the race disappeared ahead of 2012. 

“We are currently receiving significant support and encouragement from our government,” he added. “All payments and procedures related to the race will be completed under state guarantee. 

“At this point, the fact that we, as the federation, have taken over the management of Istanbul Park gives us a great advantage.

“In addition to assuming the responsibilities of both the promoter and the national sporting authority recognised by the FIA, the fact that the race is supported by the full force of our government will enable us to organise a very smooth event. 

“We do not have the perspective of competing with any other country. Turkey still has a very popular and unique track, a population of 85 million, great interest in the sport among young people, a market where more than 1.2 million cars are sold annually, factories or major distributors of most F1 car brands located here, and a geopolitical position.”

Uclertopragi also said the event was prepared to be twinned with neighbouring Baku to help F1’s flow of logistics. 

As it stands, a return to Turkey could be possible as soon as 2027, when Zandvoort’s Dutch Grand Prix will have been dropped from the calendar. Barcelona has yet to agree to a new deal after 2026, potentially creating two spots to fill. 

At present, the strongest contender for a new race remains Thailand, whose government has committed $1.2 billion to a street circuit race in Bangkok from 2028.