The Turkish Grand Prix will join the Formula 1 calendar in 2021 after all after it was announced that the Intercity Istanbul Park track will replace the already-cancelled Singapore Grand Prix.
Turkey was initially set to replace the Canadian Grand Prix but a rise in coronavirus cases in the country saw the race cancelled. However, the Singapore Grand Prix was also cancelled, with the FIA continue to look at replacements in order to keep twenty-three races on the schedule.
However, Turkey has now come back in and will host a race on the weekend of 1-3 October, a week after the Russian Grand Prix and a week before the Japanese Grand Prix in a busy spell for Formula 1.
“We are delighted to be coming back to Turkey to Intercity Istanbul Park circuit,” said Stefano Domenicali, the President and CEO of Formula 1. “We hope to see another fantastic race again in one of the best tracks in the world.
“We want to thank the Intercity Istanbul Park management and Mr. Vural Ak for his personal efforts to make this event to happen. We have shown that we can continue to adapt and there is huge interest in our sport and the hope from many locations to have a Grand Prix.
“We have had very good conversations with all the other promoters since the start of the year and continue to work closely with them during this period.”
The Turkish Grand Prix returned to the calendar last year for the first time in nine years, with Lewis Hamilton taking victory to clinch his record-equalling seventh World Drivers’ Championship.