Turkey is slated to make a comeback on the Formula 1 schedule beginning in the 2027 season, secured by a fresh five‑year agreement. Istanbul Park, which last hosted the Turkish Grand Prix in 2020 and again in 2021 during the pandemic‑induced reshuffle of the championship, will once more welcome the world’s premier single‑seater racing series. The return of Istanbul Park places it alongside Portugal’s Portimão circuit as the two venues re‑entering next year’s roster.
Their inclusion comes as the Dutch Grand Prix is set to sit out after the current season, while the historic circuits at Barcelona and Spa‑Francorchamps will move to an alternating, bi‑annual format. Stefano Domenicali, the president of Formula 1, expressed enthusiasm for the news: “We are thrilled to be heading back to the vibrant and historic city of Istanbul from 2027 onward, delivering excitement to fans in Turkey and around the globe on one of the sport’s most demanding and exhilarating tracks.” He added that Istanbul serves as a cultural bridge between Europe and Asia, blending deep‑rooted heritage with a forward‑looking attitude toward sport, commerce, and entertainment. Istanbul first entered the F1 calendar in 2005 and quickly became famous for its daunting Turn 8 – a sweeping series of high‑speed left‑hand corners that are technically treated as a single element.
The corner subjects drivers to extreme lateral G‑forces, testing both car setup and the physical endurance of the racers, particularly their neck muscles. During the early years of the Turkish Grand Prix, Brazilian driver Felipe Massa claimed three consecutive victories from 2006 to 2008, cementing his legacy at the venue. The circuit also witnessed a dramatic clash in 2010 when Red Bull teammates Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber collided, an incident that remains a talking point among fans. After disappearing from the schedule after 2011, Istanbul Park made a comeback in 2020 as part of a revised calendar.
That race became memorable for Lewis Hamilton’s triumph in a rain‑soaked event that secured his seventh world championship, tying the record at the time. The following year, 2021, saw another rain‑affected showdown where Valtteri Bottas captured his most recent Formula 1 victory.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised the nation’s re‑entry into the sport, stating, “Turkey’s return to the Formula 1 calendar reflects the strong confidence placed in our country’s organisational capabilities, modern sports and healthcare infrastructure, and the renowned hospitality of the Turkish people.” He pledged that Turkey would deliver a flawless event, as it has done in the past. With Turkey’s addition, a total of 24 circuits now have contracts secured for the 2027 season. The past three Formula 1 calendars, including the original plan for this year, each featured 24 rounds, meaning that any brand‑new venues are unlikely to appear until at least 2028.
Potential future expansions have been discussed, notably a race in Bangkok, Thailand, and a return to Africa. The continent last hosted a Grand Prix in 1993 at Kyalami in South Africa, and recent attempts to revive an African round have not yet materialised.
In 2024, Domenicali held talks with Rwandan officials about a possible Grand Prix in Kigali, highlighting the FIA’s interest in diversifying the championship’s geography. Lewis Hamilton has been an outspoken advocate for an African race.
He recently revealed his intention to stay in Formula 1 until a Grand Prix takes place on the continent, noting that he has been lobbying the sport’s leadership for several years. “I don’t want to retire without having raced in Africa,” he said.
“I keep asking when it will happen. They keep setting tentative dates, and I feel the clock is ticking, so I’ll keep racing until it does – it would be amazing, especially because I have African heritage.” Hamilton also shared his personal favourites among the African locations he has visited, singling out Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa as places he would love to see host a race. He described Rwanda as “spectacular” and said both Kenya and South Africa offer stunning scenery that would make excellent Grand Prix settings.
The 2027 calendar will thus feature a blend of classic European staples, returning venues like Istanbul, and a rotating schedule that keeps the championship fresh. Fans can look forward to the season kicking off with the Miami Grand Prix from May 1‑3, which will also host the second Sprint weekend of the year, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.
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