Formula 1 Next Season To Be Hosted In Turkey

The Formula 1 race will be organized again in Turkey from next season, after the government reached an agreement with the management of the competition for at least five years, until 2031.

– Formula 1 is one of the most important sports events in the world; it is characterized by spectacle, a young fan base and leadership in automotive technologies. ‘And in our country, Formula 1 enjoys a wide audience in all age groups, especially among the youth, with a truly passionate fan base, ‘ said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a meeting with competition officials.

The first race at Istanbul Park was held from 2005 until 2011, and next year it will return to the calendar for the first time since 2021, when Valtteri Bottas triumphed driving for Mercedes.

– The races reach almost 19 million people in our country, while about 7.5 million follow them carefully on social networks. I consider the return of Turkey to the Formula 1 calendar a clear reflection of the strong trust placed in our country, in our strong organizational capacities, in our modern sports and health infrastructure, and, of course, in the famous hospitality of the Turkish nation, said Erdogan.

Istanbul Park is popular with drivers, and the long, fast turn eight is often ranked as one of the most difficult corners in the world.

The most successful Turkish Grand Prix driver is Felipe Massa, who achieved three consecutive victories driving for Ferrari from 2006 to 2008. Lewis Hamilton, from Ferrari, has two triumphs in Istanbul, including in 2020 when he won his seventh championship title and equalled Michael Schumacher.

Formula 1 President Stefano Domenicali expressed his delight at the return of the race to Istanbul and rated the track as one of the most exciting and demanding in the competition.

– As a city, Istanbul represents a cultural gateway between Europe and Asia, offering a unique blend of history and tradition, with a visionary approach to sports, business and entertainment.

The addition of the race does not mean that the competition calendar will expand to more than 24 races, but Istanbul will fit in as contracts for other races expire or move to a rotational system.

There is a one-month break in the Formula 1 championship, as races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled due to the war in the Middle East.

The season continues on May 3 with the Miami Grand Prix.

• Also See: Formula 1 Has Cancelled Races In Saudi Arabia And Bahrain