Historic but sidelined: the classic tracks should return to the F1 calendar

Today, Formula 1 officially confirmed the return of Istanbul Park, a circuit long loved by fans and drivers alike, set to rejoin the calendar from next year under a five-year deal running through to 2031. The Turkish Grand Prix will feature on the schedule in all five seasons, with no rotation system in place, unlike other iconic venues such as Spa-Francorchamps.

The last time Formula 1 raced in Turkey was in 2021, when Valtteri Bottas took victory for Mercedes ahead of the two Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

This marks another new addition following the return of Portimão from 2027, having last hosted a race five seasons ago during the height of the COVID period.

Over the years, however, Formula 1 has moved away from several well-known venues that, despite their historic significance, have faded into obscurity, with many still hoping to see them return in the future.

Just look at the South African Grand Prix, an iconic fixture until the early 1990s, with Kyalami regularly resurfacing in discussions in recent years, and Lewis Hamilton among those keen to see it return before he calls time on his career.

Other notable absentees include the Malaysian Grand Prix, with Sepang still a staple on the MotoGP calendar, but absent from Formula 1 since 2017. Germany, too, has been absent from the calendar for years, despite its two venues at the Nurburgring (excluding the Nordschleife layout) and Hockenheim, with the most recent races held in 2020 under the renamed Eifel Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, and in 2019 at Hockenheim.

Imola, meanwhile, is the most recent to drop off the calendar, having returned during the pandemic to fill gaps in the schedule and remained in place until last year, with Monza now the only race representing Italy. Fuji and Magny-Cours were also iconic stops in Japan (alongside Suzuka) and France respectively, with both last hosting a race back in 2008, now nearly two decades ago.