Turkey pays a fortune for the Formula 1 race » Erdogan was directly involved in the return to Istanbul Park
Article by Cezar Titor – Published Monday, April 27, 2026 7:41 p.m. / Updated Monday, April 27, 2026 7:45 p.m.
The Turkish Grand Prix returns to the Formula 1 calendar from 2027, with a five-year deal ensuring the presence of the “Istanbul Park” circuit on the Grand Prix calendar until 2031. The return, made official by F1, was signed with the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports and is an investment with an extremely high cost.
As with the Portuguese Grand Prix, in 2027 and 2028, in addition to the organizing fee, the host country assumes all operational costs. Instead, it keeps revenue from ticket sales and local sponsorships
200 million dollars pay the Turks for the race in Formula 1!
The astronomical sum only covers the right to organize one race per year. The host country does not acquire television or commercial rights, only the entry ticket to the competition show.
In the case of the Turks, the costs amount to 200 million dollars, which is approximately 170 million euros! Much more than the estimated 30 million or so for the Portuguese Grand Prix, for example, which Portimao will host in 2027 and 2028.
The Turkish GP was part of the calendar between 2005 and 2011disappearing because the organizers did not accept the fee increase demanded by F1. The circuit returned punctually during the pandemic, being the scene of Lewis Hamilton's seventh and final world title in 2020. Now the Turks accept to pay an even higher price.
Currently, the organization of a Grand Prix involves a significant investment from the state. A host country pays, on average, between 30 and 40 million dollars annually, that is between 25 and 35 million euros. However, new destinations in strategic markets pay higher amounts, such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with around €47 million. Even the historically protected Monaco had a rising tax.
The Turkish contract could include annual increases of around 5%, should be in the range of 140 to 190 million euros in total. This amount demonstrates that the comeback is not due to a need for F1, but rather Turkey's willingness to pay the price demanded by the competition's modern business model.
In addition to the organization fee, the host country assumes all operational costs such as circuit maintenance, security and logistics. Instead, it keeps revenue from ticket sales and some local sponsorships. Most of the business, which includes broadcast rights, global sponsors and track advertising, remains in the hands of Liberty Media, the company that owns Formula 1.
Erdogan got involved in the return of F1 to Istanbul Park
The return also has a political componentas in 2024 a Turkish company took over the long-term management of Istanbul Park, a complex that was underutilized at the time, after the races it organized during the pandemic.
The return was personally driven by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. More than a sporting event, the Grand Prix is seen as an assertion of power, modernity and a strategic bridge between Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Istanbul Park is considered an authentic circuit, known for its bumps, fast turns and especially the iconic turn 8.
