Following a new agreement with Türkiye’s Ministry of Youth and Sports the Formula 1 have announced that the Turkish Grand Prix will return to the FIA Formula One World Championship from 2027 with Istanbul Park confirmed on the calendar through the 2031 season.
‘F1’ stated that the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED – the officially recognized governing body for motor sports in Türkiye) will be Formula 1’s delivery partner for the future events.
London (UK)-based Formula One (F1) is the highest class of worldwide racing for open-wheel, single-seater formula racing cars run by the Formula One Group and sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). The FIA Formula One World Championship has been one of the world’s premier forms of motorsport since its inaugural running in 1950 and is often considered to be the pinnacle of motorsport.
The Formula One Group is a group of companies responsible for the promotion of the FIA’s Formula One World Championship and the exercising of the sport’s commercial rights.
Paris (France)-based the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is an international organization with two primary functions surrounding use of the automobile. Its Mobility Division advocates the interests of the motoring organizations, the automotive industry and the motor car users in the fields of road safety and traffic circulation. The Sport Division is a governing body for many international motorsport championships and disciplines including Formula One.
The 125,000-capacity Istanbul Park, also known as the TOSFED İstanbul Park, is a motor sports race track in the Tuzla district of Istanbul, Turkey.
Turkish Grand Prix
‘F1’ further stated that the Turkish Grand Prix was last staged in 2020 and 2021 with Lewis Hamilton (British racing driver) securing his seventh Drivers’ Championship at the venue in 2020 – equaling Michael Schumacher’s (German former racing driver) all-time record.
Istanbul Park
The Istanbul Park first joined the Formula 1 calendar in 2005 and soon carved a niche for itself as one of the championship’s most technically demanding tracks. The 5.33-kilometer layout features dramatic elevation changes that put to test both the driver skill and the car performance.
The multi-apex Turn 8 is an incredible test of driver precision and commitment challenging their ability to maintain speed and balance through its long, sweeping left-hander.
Türkiye has hosted nine Grands Prix and is a venue loved by the teams, the drivers and the fans alike with the circuit producing competitive racing throughout the field.
F1 Türkiye Market
Formula 1 continues to grow in Türkiye where the sport has more than 19 million fans and over 7.5 million followers on social media. The Instagram followers have grown by 25 percent year-on-year and the YouTube views have increased by 107 percent.
The President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, “The 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, the 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. The Istanbul Park – particularly famous for its Turn 8 and a favorite among the racing enthusiasts – will, once again, host five seasons of exciting, high-quality races between 2027 and 2031.”
Added Erdoğan, “As Türkiye, we will once again fulfill this trust by delivering a flawless organisation in every respect just as we have done in the past. I extend my sincere congratulations to everyone who has contributed to bringing Formula 1 back to our country and to Istanbul. I hope that Türkiye’s partnership with Formula 1 – as a country of motorsport – will continue to grow stronger in the years ahead.”
‘Cultural Gateway’
Stated Stefano Domenicali, President and head honcho, Formula 1, “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 – the Istanbul Park. 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. Many memorable moments have been made in our sport’s history at the Istanbul Park and I’m excited to begin the next chapter of our partnership giving fans the opportunity to experience even more incredible racing in a truly fantastic location.”
Consolidating Foothold
His Excellency Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, said, “Formula 1’s return to Türkiye is a powerful reflection of the continued global growth and appeal of our sport and I am delighted to see the Turkish Grand Prix rejoin the FIA Formula One World Championship calendar. The Istanbul Park is a circuit that holds a special place in Formula 1 history and its return underlines our shared commitment to expanding the championship in dynamic markets. Through this strong collaboration we are not only securing the long-term future of Formula 1 in Türkiye but also supporting the continued development of motorsport, strengthening the foundations for sustainable growth in the years to come.”
Noted Eren Üçlertoprağı, President, FIA Member Club, the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED), “I am very pleased to share that thanks to the unwavering support of our State and intensive efforts we take great pride in announcing that we have secured the return of Formula 1 Turkish GP. Preparations are already well underway for the race scheduled for 2027. Thanks to utilizing full strength of our State we will work tirelessly to host an organisation worthy of Türkiye and Istanbul performed in front of packed grandstands.”
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