Promotor at Istanbul Park: 'We are preparing for 2021'

On Sunday 25 April 2021 there’s a gap in the Formula 1 calendar. Max Verstappen has already declared that he would prefer to see Imola or Mugello take that spot, but in Turkey, they think very differently.

The expectation was that there would be a Vietnamese Grand Prix, but now that this race is not going ahead, a replacement has to be found. Imola would already have volunteered and the organisation of Istanbul Park is also looking for a place on the 2021 calendar.

Sadi Hezber, the promoter of the Istanbul Park circuit, confirms in the French Auto Hebdo the ambition to organise a Turkish Grand Prix in 2021 as well. All means will be used, including even the Turkish president. "When Formula 1 was taken over by Liberty Media, Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Liberty Media top man Chase Carey immediately and made his intentions clear," says Hezber.

Earlier this month Turkey got its way. "The coronavirus outbreak has given us the opportunity to organise another race". And for 2021 the organiser is confident that Turkey will be back on the calendar. "We are now preparing for a race in 2021.”