{"id":371704,"date":"2025-12-27T16:23:15","date_gmt":"2025-12-27T16:23:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/371704\/"},"modified":"2025-12-27T16:23:15","modified_gmt":"2025-12-27T16:23:15","slug":"turkish-gp-closer-to-calendar-return-as-talks-advance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/371704\/","title":{"rendered":"Turkish GP closer to calendar return as talks advance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last week\u2019s announcement of the Portugal GP returning to the calendar (2027-28) came after months of negotiations. As reported by LWOS<\/a> earlier in the year, Portimao\u2019s circuit organisers worked hard towards securing an F1 return.<\/p>\n

Others circuits are also in talks with Formula 1, including Turkey\u2019s Istanbul Park.<\/p>\n

Negotiations between promoters<\/a> and FOM (Formula One Management) have been ongoing for some time. In an encouraging development, new details are emerging about these discussions, including potential contract duration.<\/p>\n

\"\"ISTANBUL, TURKEY \u2013 OCTOBER 10: Max Verstappen during the F1 Grand Prix of Turkey at Intercity Istanbul Park. (Photo by Bryn Lennon\/Getty Images) \/\/ Getty Images \/ Red Bull Content Pool\/
\nTurkey in talks for multi-year contract<\/p>\n

Much like Portimao<\/a>, Turkey\u2019s Istanbul Park returned to the calendar during the volatility of 2020. Having previously hosted F1 Grand Prix for half a decade (2005-2010), Istanbul was a familiar venue.<\/p>\n

Indeed, the circuit\u2019s unorthodox design and tendency to be affected by rain produced a memorable race in 2020.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately for the Turkish track, it\u2019s prior contract agreement with F1 was only short-term. Much like Portugal, it lost its place on the calendar in 2022.<\/p>\n

Another similarity Istanbul shares with Portimao is that promoters have been in vigorous negotiations for a calendar return. For now, an agreement is yet to be confirmed for the Turkish GP\u2019s comeback.<\/p>\n

According to as-web.jp<\/a>, however, talks are at an advanced stage. It is reported that F1 offered a five-year contract in the summer. This would see the circuit make a comeback as a permanent race.<\/p>\n

Despite this proposal being made a few months ago, it failed to materialise. This is because, in order to secure this long-term deal, Istanbul Park must be modernised to meet FOM\u2019s standards.<\/p>\n

Consequently, local promoters are looking to find investors to facilitate the necessary improvements. Crucially the belief is that it is a matter of when \u2013 not if \u2013 a deal is signed.<\/p>\n

The expectation is that terms will be finalised in the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n

\"\"Valtteri Bottas, 2021 Turkish Grand Prix, Saturday \u2013 Jiri Krenek
\nMinimal spaces creates incentive for circuit rotation<\/p>\n

Should promoters of the Turkish GP overcome this final hurdle, Istanbul will again feature in the F1 schedule. Unlike Portimao, however, this return will be as a permanent venue \u2013 rather than a rotational slot.<\/p>\n

This rotational model (where circuits alternate on the calendar) is relevant for the ongoing negotiations with Barcelona<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With Madrid signing a multi-year deal to host the Spanish GP, the Catalunya circuit\u2019s place is at jeopardy. Since its current deal expires in 2026, discussions are underway to draw up a new agreement.<\/p>\n

The most plausible deal for Barcelona will be to alternate with the Belgian GP. Earlier this year, Belgium\u2019s Spa circuit confirmed a multi-year deal with Formula 1. Spa will feature in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031.<\/p>\n

These absences in 2028 and 2030 are not coincidental. In a bid to keep Belgium in Formula 1 whilst also facilitating other venues, the Spa circuit will begin alternating on the calendar.<\/p>\n

For Barcelona organisers, having a similar arrangement (hosting races bi-annually in 2028 and 2030) is their most realistic path to remain part of the schedule \u2013 albeit in a reduced capacity.<\/p>\n

Amidst these talks, Turkey is expected to be the next permanent circuit on the calendar. Despite increased competition and demand to host Grand Prix, Istanbul Park is well-positioned to retake its place.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: F1 \u2013 How Mercedes are on step ahead with their engine trick<\/a><\/p>\n

Main photo: LAT Images (Mercedes F1 Media Archive)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Last week\u2019s announcement of the Portugal GP returning to the calendar (2027-28) came after months of negotiations. As…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":371705,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[441],"tags":[49,48,578,125958,576,577,158899,82,3848],"class_list":["post-371704","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-formula-1","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-f1","tag-f1-2026-season","tag-formula-1","tag-formula1","tag-istanbul-park","tag-sports","tag-turkey"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/371704","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=371704"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/371704\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/371705"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=371704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=371704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=371704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}