FIA President Reveals Plan to Add Extra F1 Race This Year as Turkey Emerges as Standby Venue
FIA president has confirmed that Formula 1 is actively considering the addition of an extra race to the 2026 calendar, with the emerging as the leading candidate to step in earlier than expected.
The development comes after Formula 1 was forced to reassess its schedule following the cancellation of both the and the due to ongoing instability and conflict in the Middle East. The unexpected disruption has left a significant gap in the 2026 calendar and prompted urgent discussions between the FIA, Formula One Management, and circuit organizers over possible replacement venues.
Speaking about the situation, Ben Sulayem revealed that Turkey is now firmly under consideration as a contingency option should Formula 1 be unable to return to the region later this season.
The had already been officially scheduled to make a comeback in 2027 after several years away from the championship, but the FIA president admitted that the timeline could now be accelerated if preparations at are completed quickly enough.
Turkey previously hosted Formula 1 races between 2005 and 2011 before making brief returns during the pandemic-affected 2020 and 2021 seasons. The circuit earned widespread praise from drivers and fans alike for its challenging layout, particularly the iconic Turn 8 sequence, while the 2020 event produced one of the most memorable wet-weather races in recent F1 history.
The prospect of Istanbul returning this year could provide Formula 1 with a ready-made solution at a crucial moment. Unlike many potential replacement venues, Istanbul Park already holds recent experience hosting modern F1 machinery and remains popular within the paddock.
However, several logistical and regulatory hurdles still need to be addressed before any agreement can be finalized. Ben Sulayem indicated that the FIA would require assurances over circuit readiness, operational standards, and commercial arrangements before approving the race for inclusion on the 2026 calendar.
Formula 1 officials are also understood to be evaluating how an additional race would affect freight operations, team travel schedules, and the championship’s already demanding calendar structure. Teams have repeatedly expressed concerns in recent years over the growing number of races and the strain placed on personnel throughout the season.
Despite those concerns, the possibility of adding Turkey has generated considerable excitement among fans, many of whom have called for the circuit’s permanent return since its last appearance on the calendar.
If approved, the move would mark a rapid and unexpected comeback for the and could help Formula 1 stabilize its 2026 schedule amid continued geopolitical uncertainty.