F1 could bring back popular Grand Prix amid doubts | Sports News

The Turkish Grand Prix is eyeing a comeback to the F1 calendar, prepared to switch the new Madrid Grand Prix in 2026 if the Madrid circuit is not accomplished on time. The 2023 schedule was unveiled in June, with one other 24-race World Championship on the playing cards.

F1 made an surprising return to the fan-favorite Istanbul Park circuit in 2020 because the collection hustled to assemble a calendar amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

While Imola noticed an prolonged renewal after stepping in, Turkey’s race vanished again, together with Mugello, the Nurburgring, and Portimao.

However, the 2 races that did characteristic the Turkish GP have been unforgettable. The 2020 occasion was a trendy F1 basic the place Lance Stroll clinched his first and solely pole place to date earlier than dropping the result in a surging Lewis Hamilton.

This victory secured Hamilton’s record-matching seventh Drivers’ Championship title. Then, in 2021, Valtteri Bottas claimed his last Grand Prix win for Mercedes, outpacing closest competitor Max Verstappen by over 14 seconds, whereas Hamilton languished in fifth following a disappointing qualifying.

Now, after a four-year break, Istanbul Park is gearing up for a return to the lineup. In a chat with Motorsport Turkey, Eren Uclertopragi, the president of the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation, confirmed the ambition to bring F1 back to the long-lasting observe.

“There is a strong commitment from the government to bring Turkey back into the Formula One calendar with a permanent and long-term agreement,” he stated. “As is known, the 2026 calendar has already been announced.

Nevertheless, in the event that a race cannot be held for various reasons, we could host the Turkish Grand Prix.

However, unlike during the pandemic, we do not want to host a one-off replacement race; instead, we aim to secure a place on the calendar through a long-term contract.”

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Uclertopragi is making reference to the construction progress of the Madring, which is set to grow to be the latest venue to stage an F1 race come September.

Yet its spot on the racing schedule is dependent upon circuit approval, which is normal process for new tracks, and with organizers encountering obstacles, a 2026 debut stays unsure.

The Madring facility is encountering resistance from the political faction Mas Madrid, which has expressed worries concerning the lack of an environmental influence analysis and public health analysis within the circuit’s proposals.