Turkish Grand Prix Could Return to Formula 1 in 2026 as FIA Eyes Istanbul Park Replacement

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has put Istanbul Park squarely in play as a 2026 replacement, a year ahead of its scheduled comeback , after the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix due to the military conflict in Iran. The calendar problem the FIA has been quietly working on for weeks is starting to look a lot less quiet. Also Read: : Kimi Antonelli Stays Perfect: Winners and Losers from the 2026 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix Lost Races, Lost Money so Move Isn’t a Surprise F1 already pulled both Middle East rounds because of the regional conflict , leaving a 22-race season and a five-week dead zone between Japan and Miami that fans felt every day of.

Replacing those rounds is the harder part. Now Ben Sulayem has confirmed Istanbul is one of the names on the whiteboard. “Around Qatar, we could postpone by a week, push everything back,” Ben Sulayem told NextGen-Auto .

“Otherwise, perhaps we could have Turkey this year if they finalize their certification and meet the other requirements. ” Turkey was already booked for a 2027 return as part of a five-year deal that runs through 2031. Pulling that forward by a season would patch the calendar without forcing F1 to reinvent the wheel.

Istanbul Park has the layout, the paddock infrastructure, and the recent track record. The circuit stepped up during the pandemic years when nobody else could, and it sits well outside the conflict zone. AUTO MOTOR UND SPORT – Gap between Singapore and Baku Currently, it is also being examined whether the Turkish Grand Prix can be included as a replacement, should Jeddah and Abu Dhabi jump completely over the cliff.