Let’s be honest: we’ve all been missing that Turn 8 triple-apex ever since we left Turkey. Well, dust off your memorabilia, because Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has basically told us to “watch this space.” Speaking just before wrapping up the final Bahrain test, the boss dropped some major hints that Istanbul Park is back on the radar for a potential return to the grid.
Domenicali was careful not to promise anything yet, noting that Turkey isn’t “100 percent confirmed,” but the intent is clearly there.
No More “Street Circuit” Fatigue?
For those of us tired of seeing every new race turn into a concrete-walled processional through a city center, there’s some good news. Responding to the “too many street races” drama, Domenicali pointed out that the upcoming additions are actually permanent tracks.
- Portugal: Joining the party in 2027 at a permanent facility.
- Madrid: A “semi-permanent” hybrid project aiming to be ready this year.
The big takeaway? F1 isn’t planning to bloat the schedule. Domenicali stood firm on the 24-race limit. If new venues like Rwanda, Thailand, or South Korea want a spot, they’ll likely have to wait until 2029 when existing contracts start to expire.
Death of the “Meaningless” Practice Session?
Domenicali isn’t just looking at where we race, but how we race. If you find Friday practice a bit of a snooze, you’re not alone. The CEO wants every day on track to actually mean something.
“Everyone wants to see an F1 that fights for something from day one,” Domenicali said.
What’s on the table for next year?
- Sprint Overload: We could see the number of Sprints jump from 6 to 12 events.
- Competitive Practice: Ideas include two back-to-back one-hour sessions that actually involve a competitive element.
- Rookie Relief: Dedicated sessions for young drivers so they aren’t thrown into the deep end during a high-pressure Sprint weekend.
Expect a full “package of ideas” to be presented by this summer.
Testing and “The Show”
Looking ahead to the 2026 regulations, the extra testing we saw this year was a bit of an outlier. Domenicali confirmed that for 2026, we’re going back to a single pre-season test.
And for those who loved (or loved to hate) the massive joint season launch event? It might be making a comeback in 2027. Despite the mixed reviews from the hardcore fanbase, F1 sees it as a massive PR win—basically a “25th race” in terms of global eyeballs.
Which circuit would you drop to make room for Turkey?
