Formula 1 | Turkey is ready to return to F1 calendar: negotiations already underway

Formula 1 | Turkey is ready to return to F1 calendar: negotiations already underway. Turkey could make a comeback on the F1 calendar in the near future.

Turkey hosted the F1 Grand Prix from 2005 to 2011 and then in 2020 and 2021 at the Istanbul Circuit. The pandemic led to its cancellation, but now, after a few years, things could change.

The president of TOSFED, the local sports federation, Eren Üçlertoprağı, as a guest on the “Business World” program, spoke about the possibility of Turkey returning to the F1 calendar.

A possibility might arise in 2026. By that year, the contracts of seven countries with Formula 1 will expire. In Turkey, the top motorsport category has gained popularity over the years, with various social media accounts starting to discuss it.

Why has it taken so long? Eren Üçlertoprağı explained that there are economic reasons. “Currently, the reasons why Formula 1 cannot be organized [in our country] include financial issues. But also problems encountered in the last race of 2021.”

Currently, TOSFED has initiated some informal negotiations to bring Turkey back to the Formula 1 calendar. “The specifications of the Istanbul Park should not scare private companies,” assures the federation president. “Investment costs in construction will certainly be recouped within 30 years of operation.”

In case the company does not win the bid, Eren Üçlertoprağı assures his support to whoever does:

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“As TOSFED, we are ready to provide all kinds of sports support, free of charge, to companies that want to participate for the benefit of our country. And to carry out the necessary activities for F1 to return to us.” – he concluded.

In 2022, Turkey had already tried to return to the calendar to fill the vacant slot left by China. On that occasion, TOSFED was actively seeking sponsors to secure the budget necessary for its re-entry.