F1 to return in 2027 to country absent from calendar since 2021 under new multi-year agreement

F1 is set to return in 2027 to a nation absent from the calendar since 2021, with the Turkish Grand Prix confirmed on the World Championship schedule through 2031 under a multi-year agreement announced on April 24 with Türkiye’s Ministry of Youth and Sports. The race will be held at Istanbul Park, marking its comeback after last featuring in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19-affected seasons. The Turkish Automobile Sports Federation will act as Formula 1’s delivery partner for the event.

Calendar changes and wider context

The return of Türkiye forms part of a reshaped Formula 1 calendar that continues to evolve heading into 2027. Two races are set to drop off the schedule, with the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix and the Dutch Grand Prix not continuing into that season, while the Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimão has already been confirmed to return on a two-year deal covering 2027 and 2028. The 2027 calendar is expected to feature 24 races, with Formula 1 also understood to be in advanced discussions with additional venues, including Thailand, about future expansion. Recent disruption to the schedule has also shaped planning, with the 2026 Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix cancelled due to safety concerns linked to the Iran war that began in February 2026, leaving that season with 22 races after the April events were not replaced.

Istanbul Park’s place in Formula 1 history

Istanbul Park first joined the Formula 1 calendar in 2005 and hosted races regularly until 2011 before dropping off the schedule between 2012 and 2019. The circuit returned temporarily in 2020 and 2021, producing two significant results. In 2020, Lewis Hamilton secured his seventh Drivers’ Championship at the venue, equalling the all-time record set by Michael Schumacher, while in 2021 the race was won by Valtteri Bottas for Mercedes. Across its history, Türkiye has hosted nine Grands Prix, with seven consecutive races between 2005 and 2011 followed by the two pandemic-era editions. The first-ever winner at the circuit was Kimi Räikkönen, who finished ahead of Fernando Alonso and Juan Pablo Montoya in 2005. Felipe Massa remains the most successful driver at Istanbul Park, winning three consecutive races between 2006 and 2008 for Ferrari, while other past winners at the venue include Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button. The circuit has also been the site of notable moments, including the collision between Vettel and Mark Webber in 2010 during their time as Red Bull teammates.

Track characteristics and appeal

Istanbul Park is widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding circuits on the calendar, featuring a 5.33-kilometre layout with significant elevation changes that test both car performance and driver control. Its most distinctive feature is the multi-apex Turn 8, a long, sweeping left-hander that requires sustained speed, balance and precision, and is often cited by drivers as one of the most challenging corners in Formula 1. The venue has developed a reputation for producing competitive racing across the field and remains popular with teams, drivers and fans.

Growing fanbase and commercial interest

Formula 1’s return is supported by strong audience figures within Türkiye, where the sport reaches nearly 19 million people and has more than 7.5 million social media followers. Digital engagement has grown rapidly, with Instagram followers increasing by 25% year-on-year and YouTube views rising by 107%, reflecting sustained interest in the championship. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said: “Formula 1 ranks among the world’s foremost sporting events, distinguished by its spectacle, its young fan base, and its leadership in automotive technologies. “In our country, too, Formula 1 enjoys a broad following across all age groups – especially among our youth – with a truly passionate fan base. The races reach nearly 19 million people in our country, while around 7.5 million follow them closely on social media. “We have hosted Formula 1 a total of nine times: seven races between 2005 and 2011, and two races during the COVID period in 2020 and 2021. Istanbul Park – particularly famous for its Turn 8 and a favourite among racing enthusiasts – will, Inshallah, once again host five seasons of exciting, high-quality races between 2027 and 2031. “I regard Türkiye’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.”

Organisation, upgrades and preparation

|Preparations for the race are already under way, with plans for upgrades and renovations to the venue as Türkiye seeks to re-establish itself as a regular host of major international sporting events. Eren Üçlertoprağı, President of FIA Member Club, the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED), said: “Preparations are already well underway for the race, scheduled for 2027. Thanks to utilising full strength of our State, we will work tirelessly to host an organisation worthy of Türkiye and Istanbul, performed in front of packed grandstands.” Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali added: “We are delighted to be returning to the incredible and vibrant city of Istanbul from 2027 to thrill all our fans in Türkiye 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.”

What the return represents

The reinstatement of the Turkish Grand Prix completes a cycle for a circuit that moved from a permanent fixture to a temporary replacement and now back to a multi-year host, while also forming part of a broader recalibration of the Formula 1 calendar shaped by geopolitical factors, commercial expansion and long-term scheduling strategy.