Formula 1 may gain an extra round still this season. The FIA is considering bringing forward the return of the Turkish GP if races in the Middle East do not take place at the end of the year.
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This possibility arose after the cancellation of the rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, motivated by the conflict in the region. As a result, the category is analyzing alternatives to fill the gaps in the calendar without compromising logistics and safety.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem indicated that Istanbul is one of the options under study. According to him, holding the race depends on the completion of technical requirements and circuit homologation: “If it is not possible to fit other races, maybe we can have Turkey this year, provided everything is ready,” he said.
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Formula 1 has already previously confirmed the return of the Turkish GP starting next season, with a contract valid for five years. However, the current scenario may accelerate this plan if the situation in the Middle East remains unstable until the end of the year.
Ben Sulayem emphasized that the final decision will depend on logistical and safety factors: “We are consulting promoters and evaluating the best scenario. We cannot overload our team,” he said, also reinforcing that, given the geopolitical context, the priority is clear: “The most important thing is the people, not the sport,” he concluded.
