FIA in talks with Erdogan over possible Turkish Grand Prix return

Ben Sulayem met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the resort town of Marmaris on Sunday, engaging in discussions about the potential comeback of both Formula 1 and the World Rally Championship (WRC) to Turkey.

The meeting, organized by former Turkish rally champion and FIA World Motor Sport Council member Serkan Yazici and Eren Uciertopragi, President of TOSFED (Turkish Automobile Sports Federation), focused on the prospect of bringing back high-profile motorsport events to the country.

Ben Sulayem expressed his satisfaction with the discussions, stating, “It was a pleasure to meet with President Erdogan. Our talks centered on a range of topics. We discussed the possibility of a return of Formula 1 and WRC to Turkey.”

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Highlighting the appeal of Istanbul Park, a modern circuit popular among drivers, and the welcoming city of Istanbul, Sulayem emphasized the significance of President Erdogan recognizing the positive economic and cultural impact that world-class motorsport events like Formula 1 and WRC could bring to the country.

He also acknowledged the expertise of TOSFED in organizing and managing major motorsport events, stating, “If the stars align, we could see a return of both world-class events to Turkey.”

Turkey previously hosted an F1 race at the Istanbul Park circuit from 2005 until 2011, with additional races in 2020 and 2021 amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.