One of Formula 1's best 21st-century circuits is returning to the calendar next year as Istanbul Park is rejoining on a new long-term Turkish Grand Prix deal from 2027.

Go-to track designer Hermann Tilke's circuits are sometimes criticised for their blandness, but that was an accusation rarely levelled at Istanbul Park. 

After all, its standout Turn 8 became so iconic that Tilke essentially repeated it when designing the Circuit of The Americas. 

Istanbul Park made its debut on the F1 calendar back in 2005, but it fell off the calendar after 2011, encountering financial difficulties despite producing some good racing and notable drama.

Think Red Bull team-mates Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber colliding in 2010, Felipe Massa's emotional first win in 2006 or even a pre-F1 spec Lewis Hamilton's iconic charge from 19th to second in GP2's Turkish feature race that same year. 

Turkey also proved its worth during two action-packed stand-in appearances amid COVID disruption in 2020 and 2021. Those weekends in mixed conditions produced surprises such as Lance Stroll's sole F1 pole position so far and Sebastian Vettel's only podium in a miserable swansong season for Ferrari. 

The 2020 weekend in particular was manic as drivers spoke of an “ice rink” circuit where grip was near non-existent, something that was put right with water blasting work ahead of the 2021 appearance. 

While that pair of races was only ever going to be a temporary reapparance, now it's returning on a five-year deal from 2027 to 2031.

It joins the also-returning Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimao as one of two new additions to the 2027 schedule so far.

Zandvoort is hosting its final F1 race in 2026, while Barcelona is moving to rotating with Spa, creating space on the 2027 schedule for Istanbul Park.

Red Bull reserve Yuki Tsunoda is expected to do demonstration running at the track today, on the day of the announcement.