The Turkish Grand Prix is set to make a permanent comeback to the Formula 1 schedule starting in 2027, marking a six-year absence from the global racing series, Formula 1 has officially announced. The iconic Istanbul Park circuit will host the annual race through at least 2031, locking in a multi-year agreement between motorsport’s governing body and Turkish event organizers.
Istanbul Park holds a special place in modern F1 history: it was the venue where British racing legend Lewis Hamilton secured his seventh world drivers’ championship in wet, treacherous conditions back in 2020, tying Michael Schumacher’s long-standing all-time record. Turkey’s first run on the F1 calendar stretched from 2005 to 2011 before the event was dropped from the annual lineup. It made a brief return in 2020 and 2021, when F1 scrambled to fill out its race schedule amid widespread event cancellations triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Contrary to early speculation that the addition of Turkey would expand F1’s controversial 24-race maximum calendar cap, series officials confirmed the total number of annual races will not rise beyond the current limit. The Turkish Grand Prix will take the place of existing events as their hosting contracts expire, or will be integrated into a new rotational race system that F1 has begun rolling out for several European venues. This model mirrors the new agreement for the Belgian Grand Prix, which will host four races across the six-year period from 2026 to 2031 rather than holding an annual event.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hailed the announcement as a vote of confidence in his country’s capabilities. “Formula 1 ranks among the world’s foremost sporting events, distinguished by its spectacle, its young fan base, and its leadership in automotive technologies,” Erdoğan said in a statement. “In our country, too, Formula 1 enjoys a broad following across all age groups – especially among our youth – with a truly passionate fanbase. The races reach nearly 19 million people in our country, while around 7.5 million follow them closely on social media. 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.”
Stefano Domenicali, CEO and President of Formula 1, echoed the enthusiasm for the return to Istanbul. “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,” Domenicali said. “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.”