Formula 1 is returning to Turkey next season. As the premier class of motorsport announced on Friday, from 2027 there will be five years on the Istanbul Park Circuit raced for victories. The circuit on the Asian part of the metropolis was an integral part of the Formula 1 calendar from 2005 to 2011 and was a replacement organizer in 2020 and 2021 during the corona pandemic. The last race winner so far is Valtteri Bottas, who drove for Mercedes in 2021.
Historic ground
2020 energy Lewis Hamilton by winning his seventh world championship title Michael Schumacher even. “Many unforgettable moments have been written in the history of our sport at Istanbul Park and I look forward to starting the next chapter of our partnership,” said Formula 1 Managing Director Stefano Domenicali. Turkey is not the only returnee on the calendar from next year. Formula 1 will again be racing in Portimão, Portugal, for the next two seasons, replacing the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.
New race director at Audi
Meanwhile, newcomer Audi presented its new race director. After the surprising farewell Jonathan Wheatley as team boss of the racing team Allan McNish Race director. The 56-year-old Scot was head of the German factory team’s youth program until recently. McNish will take up his new position from next week’s Miami Grand Prix.
“Allan brings an exceptional combination of racing experience, technical understanding and leadership to this role,” said team principal Mattia Binotto. Former Formula 1 driver McNish has been associated with Audi for a long time. With the German manufacturer he was twice winner of the Le Mans endurance classic and also head of the Audi Formula E team. He has been head of the youth department since the beginning of this year. Just a few days before the third round of the season in Japan, Audi surprisingly announced Wheatley’s departure “for personal reasons”. The Brit formed a dual leadership role with Binotto at the German factory team and was only in office for a year. Binotto then took over Wheatley’s duties and at the same time announced a reorganization of the team leadership.