The Turkish Grand Prix (GP) will return to the Formula 1 calendar this season, with the race at Intercity Istanbul Park set to take place in early October, Turkish media reported on Friday.
“We’re excited to confirm that Turkey will re-join the 2021 calendar! We return to Intercity Istanbul Park from October 1-3, the original date of the Singapore Grand Prix,” read the message posted on Formula 1’s official Twitter account.
“We are delighted to be coming back to Turkey to Intercity Istanbul Park circuit. We hope to see another fantastic race again in one of the best tracks in the world,” Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1, said.
Domenicali thanked Intercity Istanbul Park management and Mr. Vural Ak for his efforts to get Istanbul GP included in the F1 season, adding, 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.”
Intercity CEO Ak reminded that the Istanbul GP, held last year after a nine-year hiatus, had been canceled due to travel restrictions amid efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have been on alert for any opportunity that may arise for the 2021 calendar, and we have eventually managed to return to the schedule. On their part, Formula 1 management was quite enthusiastic to have Istanbul back for the races. We will prepare well for this great excitement at Intercity Istanbul Park on October 1-3, and continue to promote Istanbul as it deserves,” Ak said.