Istanbul Park to host high-profile races over 5 seasons between 2027 and 2031: Turkish president

Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Friday that Istanbul Park will host high-profile races over five seasons between 2027 and 2031.

Speaking at an event at the Dolmabahce Presidential Office in Istanbul marking Formula 1’s return to Türkiye, Erdogan said Istanbul Park will host thrilling, high-quality races with great viewing pleasure for five full seasons.

The president stressed that he hopes Türkiye, “a country of motorsports,” will see its partnership with Formula 1 continue to strengthen in the coming years.

Noting that Formula 1 ranks among the world’s top sporting events, Erdogan said it has a large and passionate following in Türkiye across all age groups, particularly among youth.

He said the races were watched by millions of people in the country, with approximately 7.5 million users following them on social media.

“We hosted Formula 1 a total of nine times — seven races between 2005 and 2011 — and two more during the COVID period in 2020 and 2021. The first race in 2005 broke a Republic-era record with more than 110,000 spectators in the stands,” he said.

Erdogan added that iconic races, unforgettable moments and record-breaking performances had established Istanbul Park as one of Formula 1’s most distinguished circuits.

Recalling that Türkiye opened its doors to Formula 1 during the pandemic, when sporting events were widely canceled, he said this demonstrated the country’s commitment to motorsports.

He recalled the 2020 race which saw then-Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton equal Michael Schumacher’s record of seven F1 world championships. The following year, he said, the race was held again with spectators amid great excitement.

He said Formula 1’s return from 2027 will add significant value to the championship and reflects strong global confidence in the country’s capabilities.

Türkiye’s Communications Director Burhanettin Duran marked the milestone with a post on Turkish social media platform NSosyal.

He said that under the leadership of Erdogan: “Türkiye is achieving yet another major success.”

“This mega event, which will once again showcase Istanbul’s unique cultural richness and our country’s rising brand value to the world, will reinforce Türkiye’s strength in global sports diplomacy,” Duran said.

Formula 1 returns after 6 year hiatus

Formula 1 will return to Türkiye after a six-year absence, with the Turkish Grand Prix included on the 2027 calendar of the world’s premier motorsport series.

Istanbul Park will host a Formula 1 race for the 10th time next year, following previous stints between 2005-2011 and 2020-2021.

The return will end a long wait for fans, as the 5.3-kilometer (3.3-mile) circuit in Istanbul once again prepares to welcome the sound of the revving F1 engines.

First added to the calendar in 2005, the Turkish Grand Prix was held consecutively until 2011.

It later returned during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the 2020 run without spectators and the 2021 edition held at half capacity.

A total of 12 drivers reached the podium across the nine races held at Istanbul Park, including Felipe Massa, Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso, Juan Pablo Montoya, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel, Valtteri Bottas, Max Verstappen, and Sergio Perez.