Brundle delivers calm and collected social media reaction to Turkish GP return

Istanbul Park will return to the F1 calendar next year after a five-year absence, as part of a five-year deal running through to 2031, with no rotation with other Grands Prix, making it a permanent fixture on the schedule. It marks the second major return to the calendar, after the Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimão was already confirmed months ago to make its comeback next year, albeit on a two-year deal.

To mark the announcement, Yuki Tsunoda has already kicked off the “preparations”, returning to the cockpit of a Formula 1 car during a Red Bull run in Istanbul on Friday. The Japanese driver, who serves as the team’s reserve, took to the streets of the city for a demo run at the wheel of the 2012 title-winning RB8, famously driven by Sebastian Vettel.

Commenting on the news in a social media post, the British pundit summed it up in just a few words: “Great racetrack. Good news.”

The Istanbul Park track has carved out a unique place in Formula 1 history. First introduced in 2005, it was immediately praised for its layout and quickly became a favourite among drivers and fans alike. Despite its popularity, the Turkish Grand Prix disappeared from the calendar after 2011 due to financial difficulties, before making a brief return during the pandemic seasons in 2020 and 2021.

Several standout moments have defined its legacy. The 2010 race remains one of the most controversial, with the dramatic collision between Red Bull teammates Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.

A decade later, the 2020 edition delivered one of the most iconic races in recent memory. Lance Stroll claimed a surprise pole position, while Lewis Hamilton produced a remarkable drive in treacherous conditions to secure his seventh world title, equalling Michael Schumacher. The 2021 race also lived up to expectations, with Valtteri Bottas taking a commanding victory in another action-packed weekend at the circuit.