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A possible return of the Turkish Grand Prix to the Formula 1 race calendar in either 2026 or 2027 has sparked excitement in motorsport, with top racing figures voicing their support, writes Naman Arora.
Negotiations are ongoing for a long-term contract that would bring Istanbul Park back to the official race calendar.
The track, operated by the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (Tosfed), has been a unique fixture in the sport since its inauguration in 2005, best known for its demanding Turn 8.
Though Istanbul Park fell off the calendar after 2011, it briefly returned during the pandemic, delivering memorable races for both fans and drivers.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko are in favour of the track’s return, as they recalled previous races.
Marko recalled both the highs and lows of past visits, including the dramatic 2010 collision between Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.
“Sporting-wise, we did not have very bright memories, but the atmosphere and what Istanbul offered were truly unique,” he said.
“The atmosphere there is incredible. The city centre, the best shops and restaurants, are really magnificent.”
He also noted that for its time, the venue’s facilities were among the best in Europe and the layout was one of the most physically demanding for drivers.
Wolff echoed the sentiment, pointing to Türkiye’s importance for the sport and for Mercedes in particular.
“Türkiye is a massive market for us,” Wolff explained. “Not only for car sales but also in terms of car and truck production. That is why Türkiye has always been a place we liked to go.”
Wolff highlighted Hamilton’s wet-weather win in 2020 as his standout memory of the track.
The venue witnessed moments such as Felipe Massa’s first victory in 2006, the dramatic clash between Red Bull teammates Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber in 2010, and Lewis Hamilton’s rain-soaked title-winning drive in 2020.
Although the return of the Grand Prix has not yet been finalised, the comments from both Wolff and Marko indicate that Istanbul Park remains a strong candidate to rejoin the Formula 1 calendar.
Designed by Hermann Tilke, the anticlockwise 5.338-kilometre Istanbul Park circuit, also known as Intercity Istanbul Park, quickly gained a reputation as one of his finest creations.
Its most famous feature is Turn 8, a sweeping, four-apex corner that put immense physical strain on drivers and became an instant classic in modern Formula 1.
The track’s mix of long straights, 14 corners, and dramatic elevation changes made it both a technical challenge for teams and a spectacle for fans.
The early years of the Turkish Grand Prix produced some memorable racing.
Kimi Räikkönen won the inaugural event in 2005 for McLaren, while Massa dominated the circuit with three consecutive victories for Ferrari between 2006 and 2008.
Despite its popularity among drivers, the race dropped off the calendar after 2011 due to financial disputes and the withdrawal of government support for hosting fees.
Located on the Asian side of Istanbul, the venue has a spectator capacity of 125,000. In its early years, organisers struggled with lower-than-expected attendance and limited transport links, but the circuit has remained a symbol of Türkiye’s ambition to secure a lasting place on the F1 calendar.
