Turkish GP returns as Tsunoda stars in Istanbul

Formula 1 confirmed on Friday that the Turkish Grand Prix will return from 2027 on a five-year deal through 2031, and Red Bull reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda marked the announcement by driving Sebastian Vettel’s 2012 title-winning RB8 through Istanbul and at Istanbul Park.

The comeback was presented as more than a calendar update. Tsunoda’s demonstration run started from Galataport Istanbul and followed a controlled coastal route linking major parts of the city before reaching Dolmabahçe Palace, where officials formally announced the race’s return. Large crowds gathered along the roadside for the unusual sight of an F1 car in central Istanbul, with the sound of the engine echoing through the city center and along the waterfront.

The Turkish Grand Prix has not been held since the pandemic-affected 2020 and 2021 seasons. Before that, Turkey had a regular place on the Formula 1 calendar from 2005 to 2011, giving the new agreement a clear significance for a venue and market returning to the championship on a long-term basis.

At the press conference at Dolmabahçe Palace, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the event’s return was “a clear sign of trust in our country’s organizational capabilities, modern sports and medical infrastructure, and the hospitality spirit of the Turkish people.” He said Istanbul Park “will host high-quality racing again for five seasons from 2027 to 2031.”

Erdoğan also framed the deal as a reflection of Formula 1’s place in Turkey. He said the series reaches around 19 million people in the country and that around 7.5 million follow F1 on social media. He added that the championship has strong support across different age groups, especially among young fans, and described Formula 1 as one of the world’s leading sports events because of its showmanship, young audience and leadership in automotive technology.

That made Tsunoda’s run a central part of the message. Rather than simply confirming the race’s return in a press room, Formula 1 and its local partners turned the announcement into a public display, using an actual Red Bull car on city streets and at the circuit to show that the Turkish Grand Prix is moving from discussion back into reality.

Tsunoda completed the run under controlled conditions, bringing Formula 1 machinery back into view in one of the city’s most prominent areas on the same day Istanbul secured its place on the championship calendar for the next five seasons from 2027.