The race to bring Formula 1 back to the Turkish track is gaining momentum, with Turkey laying out ambitious plans to secure its spot on the F1 calendar once again. Reports from the Russian news agency Tass reveal that FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has embarked on a pivotal journey to Turkey for discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about the future of F1 in the country.
At the heart of these discussions is a significant tender for the overhaul and management of the Istanbul Park circuit, a venue that previously hosted the sport during the covid pandemic. “The meeting took place against the backdrop of plans by the Turkish authorities to hold a tender for the reconstruction and management of the Istanbul Park circuit,” Tass noted, highlighting the strategic moves to rejuvenate this iconic track.
Ownership of Istanbul Park rests with the Turkish government, but the circuit is currently leased to a company poised to meet the new tender’s demands, ready to breathe new life into the venue.
Further details from Hurriyet, a local newspaper, suggest that the tender process is set to commence in early April. The proposed agreement underscores a commitment to hosting the Formula 1 Grand Prix annually, starting from 2026. “The deal will include the mandatory annual organization of the Formula 1 GP starting in 2026,” the publication reports.
Moreover, a critical clause in the tender specifies a swift turnaround for contractual agreements with Formula 1, setting a one-month deadline for the winning company to seal the deal.
