29/07/2025 12:55
Turkish Grand Prix bosses have made a surprise pitch to return to
the F1 calendar, in both the short and long-term. F1 last raced at
Istanbul Park in 2021 as part of a two-year arrangement due to
COVID-19, with the last regularly scheduled Turkish GP being in
2011, with ownership of the track recently transferred to the
Turkish Automobile Sports Federation. As such, President of the
federation, Eren Uclertopgragi, has declared his intention to see
F1 return, potentially as soon as 2026. Although the 24-race 2026
calendar has already been confirmed, Uclertopgragi has made it
clear that if any race were to fall off the calendar, Turkey would
be ready to step in at short notice. "Following our appointment by
the government as the federation a few months ago, we have been in
intensive discussions with F1 and FIA management," he told
Autosport. "There is a strong commitment from the government to
bring Turkey back into the Formula 1 calendar with a permanent and
long-term agreement. "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." For 2027, slots are
expected to open up on the calendar, with the Dutch Grand Prix
falling away after '26, and Barcelona yet to agree a new deal with
F1 beyond next season, when Madrid will take over the Spanish Grand
Prix. Further ahead, the Belgian Grand Prix is set to become a
rotational race after 2027, missing the '28 and '30 races as part
of a deal which runs until '31, with Imola also keen to remain on
the calendar. However, one of the slots could be filled by a grand
prix in Thailand, with F1 bosses locked in talks with the
government over a billion-dollar deal for a street race. Talking
about when a potential Turkish GP return could take place,
Uclertopgragi indicated a potential back-to-back arrangement with
the Azerbaijan GP in September would be favoured.
