Formula One management have confirmed the mighty Istanbul Park Circuit is set to return to Formula One action this November 15th, as the sport confirms four new races for the revised 2020 schedule.
- Turkey back on the calendar following nine year absence.
- Bahrain to host double header event.
- Abu Dhabi confirmed as season finale.
The Formula One schedule is finally complete, and against all expectations Grand Prix racing is set to host a revised 17 race calendar in 2020 following confirmation that Bahrain has been approved as a double header event at the end of November / start of December, and Abu Dhabi will host the season finale on December 13th.
Without doubt the biggest news from the announcement is the surprise return of the Turkish Grand Prix, as Formula One returns to the Istanbul Park venue for the first time since 2011 - bringing back a much loved and well regarded circuit to the Formula One World Championship.
The Turkish Grand Prix at Istanbul Park was designed and developed by regular Formula One track designer Herman Tilke back in 2005, and hosted Formula One racing for seven years up to the conclusion of the 2011 Formula One season. Known for its unique anticlockwise direction and the dramatic triple apex left hander at turn 8, the track has always proved to be a popular location for the drivers and teams - with former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone labelling the venue as "the best race track in the world".
A statement from Formula 1 said:
"We can confirm that Turkey, Bahrain (hosting two races), and Abu Dhabi will be part of the revised season and want to express our thanks to the hard work of all our promoters and partners in making this 17-race season possible.
The Turkish Grand Prix is set to play host to Formula One racing on the weekend of November 13th-15th as round 14 of the FIA Formula One World Championship.
14 | November 13-15 | FORMULA 1 DHL TURKISH GRAND PRIX 2020 |
15 | November 27-29 | FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX 2020 |
16 | December 4-6 | FORMULA 1 ROLEX SAKHIR GRAND PRIX 2020 (Bahrain) |
17 | December 11 - 13 | FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2020 |
This latest announcement finally dashes the hopes of Jerez making a return to Grand Prix racing this year, the Spanish venue has been making noises recently about their hopes to find a place on the Grand Prix schedule for the first time since 1997, however despite being very much a top tier circuit from a racing perspective, it looks like one of the more underrated tracks in motorsport will have to miss out from the 2020 racing party.
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