Turkish Grand Prix Returning in 2027, Filling Final Slot on Next Year's F1 Calendar

Turkish Grand Prix Returns for 2027Anadolu - Getty Images

The Turkish Grand Prix will return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2027 for the first time since the COVID era in 2020-’21. The Istanbul race becomes the 24th and final event to be confirmed for next year’s schedule, which will as previously announced see the Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimao return after a similar absence.

The two events replace the Dutch Grand Prix, which will be run for the final time this year, and the Catalunya-Barcelona event, which will go on hiatus and return in 2028 as part of an alternating arrangement with Spa. The Turkish deal runs for five years, until 2031.

“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 F1," Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said in a statement. "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 Istanbul Park track, designed by Herman Tilke, ran its first F1 race in 2005. The venue was much liked by drivers, thanks largely to its iconic and fast Turn 8 left-hander; however it fell off the calendar after the 2011 race due to financial issues.

Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone spoke candidly with this writer regarding its absence: “We didn’t make it work for one very good reason—they wouldn’t pay. They paid a flat fee, and we were going to make all the money from the gate. I’d be very happy if they could make it work because I like the circuit, I like the race there, it was a bloody good race. I’d be happy if it does work. It will work if they’re prepared to race for less money.”

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been in office since 2014 and dealt directly with Ecclestone in his previous role as prime minister, was always keen to get the race back. In April 2017, Erdogan met with then-F1 CEO Chase Carey, but at the time there was no interest on the Liberty Media side. The chance came when F1’s urgent need to add races during the COVID pandemic earned the venue a reprieve for 2020, with a second race held the following year before it was again dropped—essentially because, with the sport back to normal by 2022, F1 could charge venues full sanctioning fees once more.