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Formula 1 is heading back to Turkey next season for the first time since 2021, under a new five-year agreement announced by the Turkish government, marking a significant return for the Istanbul Park circuit.
The deal, which was expected to be formally unveiled on Friday, involves Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali, and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Turkish officials said the agreement will run for “at least five years.”
Speaking ahead of the announcement, Erdogan described the return of Formula 1 as a signal of stability and confidence in the country, saying it would show Turkey as “a safe haven in its region.”
There was no immediate confirmation from Formula 1 or the FIA.
If confirmed, the 2026 race would mark the end of a four-year absence from the calendar and a longer gap from the circuit’s original run.
Istanbul Park first hosted Formula 1 from 2005 to 2011, before briefly returning during the COVID-19-disrupted seasons in 2020 and 2021. The most recent race was won by Valtteri Bottas for Mercedes.
The return had been widely anticipated in paddock circles. F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali hinted earlier this year that Istanbul remained a strong candidate, as the sport looks to balance its global calendar.
In recent seasons, Formula 1 has faced criticism over an increasing focus on street circuits in major cities. Domenicali has pushed back on that view, pointing to traditional race tracks like Istanbul Park as examples of the kind of venues the sport still values.
“Turkey is not 100% confirmed; stay tuned,” he said in February, while also emphasizing that upcoming additions to the calendar would not all be street races.
Istanbul Park has long been considered a favorite among drivers. Its layout, fast corners, and demanding high-speed Turn 8 in particular earned it a reputation as one of the most challenging sections in modern Formula 1.
The circuit has produced memorable moments over the years. Felipe Massa remains the most successful driver there, winning three consecutive races for Ferrari between 2006 and 2008, while Lewis Hamilton has also taken two victories.
The announcement also comes at a time of wider disruption in the region. The recent Iran war has affected international sporting schedules, forcing the cancellation of Formula 1 races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
That disruption has left gaps in the current calendar, with the Miami Grand Prix next week set to be the first race since the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29.
For Turkey, however, the return of Formula 1 is being framed as more than just sport, it is also a statement of visibility, investment, and international positioning.
And if all goes ahead as planned, the roar of engines will once again return to Istanbul in 2026.
*Source: AP News
