Formula 1® announced today that the Turkish Grand Prix will be part of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship starting from 2027.
He announced that he would return to his calendar. Within the scope of the new agreement made with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkey, Istanbul Park will be on the calendar until the end of the 2031 season and the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED) will assume all responsibility for the race organization.
The Turkish Grand Prix was last held in 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic period, and in 2020, Lewis Hamilton equaled Michael Schumacher’s all-time record by winning both the race and his seventh Drivers’ Championship.
Istanbul Park, which hosted Formula 1 for the first time in 2005, quickly gained a reputation as one of the most technically challenging tracks of the championship. The 5,338-kilometer track, which rotates counterclockwise, has a technical structure and elevation changes that highlight driver skill and vehicle performance. The very long and very fast Turn 8 is considered one of the most famous and challenging corners on the calendar, questioning the courage and precision of the drivers.
The winner of the last race held in Istanbul Park in 2021 was Valtteri Bottas, who was racing for Mercedes at that time and is the current Cadillac pilot. Bottas and Hamilton stand out as the two drivers who have previously won the Turkish Grand Prix among actively racing drivers.
Türkiye, which has hosted nine Grand Prix and competitive races to date; It stands out as a race that is loved and shown great interest by teams, drivers and fans. Felipe Massa, who won three consecutive victories with Ferrari between 2006 and 2008 in Türkiye, holds the record as the driver with the most victories at Istanbul Park. In addition, champions such as Kimi Räikkönen, Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button had previously won at Istanbul Park.
Formula 1 continues to grow rapidly in Türkiye in recent years. While the sport has more than 19 million fans in Türkiye, more than 7.5 million followers interact on social media. While the number of Instagram followers increased by 25% annually, YouTube views increased by 107% recently.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said:
“Formula 1 is among the world’s leading sports events with its magnificent shows, young fan base and leadership in automotive technologies. In our country, Formula 1 has a wide follower base from all age groups, especially among our young people, and a truly passionate fan base.
While the races reach approximately 19 million people in our country, approximately 7.5 million people follow them closely on social media. We have hosted Formula 1 9 times in total: 7 races between 2005 and 2011 and two races in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID period. Istanbul Park, which is especially famous for its Turn 8 and a favorite of racing enthusiasts, will hopefully host exciting, high-quality races for five seasons between 2027 and 2031.
I see Türkiye’s return to the Formula 1 calendar as a clear reflection of the strong confidence in our country – our solid organizational capacity, our modern sports and health infrastructure and, of course, the famous hospitality of the Turkish Nation. As Türkiye, we will fulfill this trust once again by offering a perfect organization in every respect, as in the past.
I extend my sincere congratulations to everyone who contributed to bringing Formula 1 back to our country. To the country and Istanbul. I hope Türkiye’s partnership with Formula 1 as a motor sports country will become even stronger in the coming years.”
Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said:
“We are delighted to return to the incredible and vibrant city of Istanbul from 2027 to thrill all our fans in Türkiye and around the world at one of Formula 1’s most exciting and challenging circuits. As a city, Istanbul serves as a cultural gateway between Europe and Asia and offers a unique blend of history and tradition with a forward-thinking approach to sport, business and entertainment. We would like to thank Mr. President Erdoğan, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for their support in securing the return of Formula 1.” “I would like to thank the Ministry of Tourism and the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation. There have been many unforgettable moments in our sports history at Istanbul Park and I am excited to begin the next chapter of our partnership by offering fans the opportunity to experience even more incredible races in a truly amazing location.”
FIA President Mr Mohammed Ben Sulayem said:
“The return of Formula 1 to Türkiye is a strong reflection of the continued global growth and appeal of our sport, and I am delighted to welcome the Turkish Grand Prix back to the FIA Formula 1 World Championship calendar. Istanbul Park is a circuit with a special place in the history of Formula 1 and its return underlines our shared determination to expand the championship in dynamic markets. Thank you to the President of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and the President of FIA Member Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED), Eren I would like to thank Üçlertoprağı. Thanks to this strong collaboration, we are not only securing the long-term future of Formula 1 in Türkiye, but also supporting the continuous development of motor sports and strengthening the foundations for sustainable growth in the coming years.”
Eren Üçlertoprağı, President of FIA member Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED), said:
“We announce with great pride that, thanks to the unwavering support of our state and our intense efforts, we have secured the return of the Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix. On this occasion, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to our President, the Minister of Youth and Sports and the Minister of Culture and Tourism and their relevant ministries for their valuable support. We also express our sincere gratitude to the President of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), Mr. Muhammed Ben Sülayem, and the CEO of Formula 1, Mr. Stefano Domenicali. Preparations for the race planned to be held in 2027 are continuing rapidly. We will work tirelessly, using all the power of our state, for an organization that will be held in front of full stands, worthy of Türkiye and Istanbul.”
Source:https://automobilemagazine.com.tr/turkiye-grand-prixi-2027-yilinda-istanbul-park-pistinde
Automobile Magazine – English News
