The Turkish Grand Prix will officially return to the Formula 1 calendar from the 2027 season after the sport agreed a new five-year contract with Istanbul Park.
Turkish Grand Prix
Istanbul Park
Laps 58
First Grand Prix 2005
Circuit Length 5.338 km
Race Distance 309.396 km
The new agreement means Turkey will host Formula 1 until at least 2031, bringing one of the sport’s most popular modern circuits back to the schedule on a long-term basis.
Istanbul Park last hosted Formula 1 in 2020 and 2021, when the championship calendar was reshaped during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Turkey joins Portugal’s Portimao as a returning venue for the 2027 calendar. Their inclusion follows the Dutch Grand Prix, leaving the schedule after this season, while Barcelona and Spa-Francorchamps will rotate as biannual events.
F1 welcomes return to Istanbul
Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali said: “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.
“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.”
The return underlines Formula 1’s continued strategy of balancing established fan-favourite circuits with expanding global destinations.
Why Istanbul Park is so popular
Istanbul Park first joined the Formula 1 calendar in 2005 and quickly earned a reputation as one of the most demanding tracks for drivers.
The circuit is best known for its iconic Turn 8, a long sequence of high-speed left-hand corners treated as one continuous bend. The corner places huge strain on drivers due to sustained high g-forces and remains one of the standout challenges in modern Formula 1.
Felipe Massa enjoyed major success at the venue, winning three consecutive Turkish Grands Prix between 2006 and 2008.
The circuit was also the scene of Red Bull’s infamous intra-team collision between Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber during the 2010 season.
Memorable recent Turkish Grands Prix
Istanbul Park was dropped from the calendar after 2011 but returned temporarily in 2020 as part of the revised Covid-era schedule.
That race became one of the most memorable of the modern era, with Lewis Hamilton securing a record-equalling seventh world championship title in chaotic wet conditions.
The 2021 Turkish Grand Prix was also heavily affected by rain, with Valtteri Bottas claiming what remains his most recent Formula 1 victory.
The track also produced memorable wheel-to-wheel racing, including a thrilling multi-corner battle between Hamilton and Sergio Perez in the 2021 event.
Turkey promises another major event
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: “I regard Turkey’s return to the Formula 1 calendar as a clear reflection of the strong confidence placed in our country – in our robust organisational capacity; in our modern sports and healthcare infrastructure, and, of course, in the renowned hospitality of the Turkish Nation.
“As Turkey, we will once again fulfil this trust by delivering a flawless organisation in every respect, just as we have done in the past.”
Will any new tracks join future F1 calendars?
With Turkey now confirmed, there are currently 24 circuits holding contracts for the 2027 Formula 1 season.
The previous three calendars, including the original 2026 schedule, have all featured 24 races, meaning the earliest opportunity for an entirely new event to join the championship is likely to be 2028.
Thailand’s Bangkok and a future race in Africa have both been discussed as possible new destinations, although neither has yet been finalised.
Africa last hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 1993 at Kyalami in South Africa. More recent efforts to revive that race have yet to succeed.
Formula 1 also held talks with Rwandan representatives in 2024 about a potential Grand Prix in Kigali.
Hamilton still pushing for African Grand Prix
Last month, Lewis Hamilton revealed he intends to continue racing until Formula 1 returns to Africa.
He said: “I don’t want to leave the sport without having a Grand Prix there, without getting to race there, so I’m chasing them: when is it going to be?”
“They’re setting certain dates, I’m like, ‘damn, I could be running out of time’, so I’m going to be here for a while until that happens, because that would be amazing, given that I’m half African.”
The Ferrari driver added: “There’s one on every other continent, why not Africa? I know they’re really trying. I think they’ve been to quite a few different countries.
“The ones that I’ve enjoyed the most: I loved Kenya. I don’t think we’re going to have a Grand Prix in Kenya, but Rwanda particularly was spectacular. Two places I felt like I could live. South Africa is stunning. I think those are the ones I think would be good places for us to potentially go to.”
The return of Turkey adds another historic venue back to the calendar, while the debate over where Formula 1 expands next continues.
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