Formula 1 racing will make its comeback to Turkey’s Istanbul Park circuit starting in 2027, with officials announcing a five-year agreement that runs through the 2031 season.
The formal announcement took place Friday at Istanbul’s Dolmabahce Palace, where Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan joined F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem for the signing ceremony. A Formula 1 promotional vehicle drove through Istanbul’s streets to mark the occasion.
This agreement represents the successful conclusion of Turkey’s extended efforts to bring Formula 1 racing back to the country. Officials from both F1 and the Turkish government confirmed the multi-year partnership during the palace event.
“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,” Domenicali stated.
President Erdogan characterized F1’s comeback as evidence of the “strong confidence” in Turkey’s organizational abilities. He expressed optimism that the partnership between Turkey and Formula 1 would continue expanding as Istanbul presents five “exciting, high-quality races” through 2031.
FIA’s Ben Sulayem described Turkey’s return as a “powerful reflection” of Formula 1’s worldwide expansion and popularity, noting that it ensures the sport’s long-term presence in Turkey and acknowledging the country’s “special place” in F1 history.
The Istanbul circuit, featuring 14 turns and located on the Asian portion of the city, enjoys popularity among both drivers and racing enthusiasts. Its most recent race occurred in 2021 when it served as a replacement venue during the coronavirus pandemic. The track previously hosted Grand Prix events from 2005 through 2011, and again in 2020 when Lewis Hamilton secured his seventh world championship title there, matching Michael Schumacher’s historic record.
Negotiations to return Formula 1 to Turkey had been ongoing since the 2021 race but faced obstacles starting in 2022, primarily due to the substantial financial requirements needed to secure a hosting agreement. Other nations like Qatar were better positioned to meet these multi-million dollar commitments.
The breakthrough came in 2024 when Can Bilim Egitim Kurumlari A.S., which has partial ownership ties to Lale Cander (chairman of Pirelli’s Turkish operations), acquired the rights to manage Istanbul Park for three decades. The company paid approximately $117.8 million for these rights, with a contractual obligation to restore F1 racing by 2026.
Domenicali had indicated in February that Istanbul Park was nearing a calendar return, while confirming that the total number of seasonal races would remain limited to 24.
The 5.3-kilometer track is renowned for its challenging turn 8, a complex multi-apex corner that tests drivers’ skill and courage as they navigate the extended left-hand curve while maintaining speed and control.
Valtteri Bottas, driving for Mercedes, was the most recent race winner at Istanbul Park in 2021. Among current F1 drivers, only Bottas and Hamilton have achieved victory at this Turkish circuit.
