Turkey will rejoin the Formula 1 calendar from 2027, bringing the country back into the championship after its most recent appearance in 2021.
The move marks another chapter in Turkey’s on-again, off-again relationship with Formula 1. Istanbul Park hosted the Turkish Grand Prix from 2005 through 2011, then returned for two pandemic-era races in 2020 and 2021 before once again falling off the schedule.
A Circuit With Pedigree
Istanbul Park earned widespread praise during its initial stint on the calendar, particularly for Turn 8 — a sweeping, quad-apex left-hander taken flat in qualifying by the fastest cars. The 5.338-kilometre circuit, located on the Asian side of Istanbul, combines fast flowing sections with heavy braking zones and significant elevation change.
When the track returned in 2020, a fresh asphalt surface caused extreme grip issues that led to unusual tyre strategies and multiple driver errors. By 2021, the surface had matured enough to allow more conventional racing. Valtteri Bottas took victory that year for Mercedes.
Growing Calendar
Turkey’s inclusion from 2027 continues Formula 1’s calendar expansion. The championship is balancing traditional European venues with newer markets and returning circuits. How Turkey fits into the 2027 schedule — whether as a permanent fixture or in rotation with other races — remains to be confirmed.
The FIA World Motor Sport Council typically ratifies the following season’s calendar in the autumn of the preceding year, meaning the full 2027 schedule should be confirmed in late 2026.