The Turkish Grand Prix is on the verge of returning to the Formula 1 calendar, but for this to happen, the Istanbul Park circuit will need renovations to meet the world championship's requirements.
According to insiders, Turkish organizers were close to signing a five-year hosting deal earlier this year. However, this didn't materialize after Formula 1 stipulated that track renovations would be expected, not concerning the circuit itself, but rather the paddock facilities.
Formula 1's desire is for permanent structures to be built in the Istanbul Park paddock for teams to utilize during race weekends. This is because the Turkish Grand Prix will now be treated as a non-European event, meaning the F1 circus will travel by planes and ships, not by trucks as in the past. This implies teams won't be able to rely on their own motorhomes, necessitating the construction of permanent paddock facilities.
Despite this hurdle, expectations are high for the Turkish Grand Prix to rejoin the Formula 1 calendar soon, and in a permanent slot rather than in rotation with another race. This would be excellent news for Bulgarian motorsport fans, who in the past frequently attended the race weekend at Istanbul Park.