While the vast majority of Formula 1 fans are looking forward to racing starting once again on the track, officials around the globe and trying to win the contest to join the sport’s calendar.
F1 have been slowly increasing the number of races every year but have reached capacity at 24 events, with the first race in 2025 taking part in Australia.
The likes of Qatar, Las Vegas and Miami have recently joined the schedule, while the Madrid Grand Prix will make its debut in 2026.
Although the current Concorde Agreement allows a maximum of 25 races, Madrid is likely to replace another European race with Imola set to lose its F1 race at the end of his season.
The likes of Barcelona, Baku and Mexico City are also under pressure while Zandvoort’s final race will take place in 2026 and Spa will no longer be an annual event from 2028 onwards.
This has opened up plenty of opportunities for circuits around the globe to try and fill the gaps.
Saudi Arabia could host two races sooner rather than later and there are countries in Africa, Asia and South America which all want to join the party.
Turkish Grand Prix has held ‘initial discussions’ to return to the Formula 1 calendar
A report from The Times has shared more information about potential upcoming changes to the F1 schedule.
They believe that the Turkish Grand Prix could be the latest circuit to make a comeback as part of the rotation of circuits around different European countries.
Promoters in Turkey have held ‘initial discussions’ with Formula 1 about whether the Istanbul Park track may become a semi-regular venue for races when the rotation begins.
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Turkey hosted races between 2005 and 2011 before briefly returning to the calendar in 2020 and 2021 when the Covid pandemic forced F1 to create a more flexible schedule.
The last race was won by Valtteri Bottas during his time at Mercedes and he was joined by Red Bull pair Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez on the podium that day.
Outside of Europe, South Africa and South Korea have ‘expressed interest’ in hosting a race.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem has explained why a return to Argentina might be possible, although that would likely require Franco Colapinto to earn a permanent race seat at Alpine.
Max Verstappen wasn’t the biggest fan of the Turkish Grand Prix
There aren’t many F1 circuits where Verstappen hasn’t got a brilliant record, but Turkey is one of them.
Speaking to the press after his first visit to Istanbul Park for the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix when he recovered to sixth after a slow start, Verstappen said: “It’s just very frustrating, to be honest.
“I tried to follow Checo through that kink and then suddenly I just massively washed out.
“You get onto the green bit, big spin, trying to keep it out of the wall, of course, flatted-spotted the tyres.
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“After that of course you can very quickly catch up with the guys but you can’t pass.
“It’s just one line around here and already that line is very slippery. So it’s super-frustrating, we were just waiting for people to pit or whatever.”
Turkey recently held intensive talks with F1 officials about a return during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and the introduction of a rotation of European tracks fits in with the timeline that would be required for getting the circuit back up to scratch.
It’s also the scene of Lance Stroll’s only F1 pole position and he may be keen for a return to Istanbul Park for that reason alone.
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