History Behind the Two Returning F1 Tracks in 2027

With Zandvoort and Barcelona-Catalunya taking their leave in 2027, F1 brought back two returning circuits in the calendar: Algarve International Circuit and Istanbul Park. The two tracks shared the spotlight in the announcement of the new F1 calendar, which also surprisingly includes a Sprint Race at Monaco.

Why did these two tracks disappear from the Formula One calendar in the first place? And why are they returning? Let's take a look.

Designed by famous track designer Hermann Trike, Istanbul Park hosted the first ever F1 Turkish Grand Prix in 2005. It immediately became a driver-favorite track, as there are several opportunities where you can attack. It has long straights and fast, flowing corners, higlighted by the high-speed left-hander Turn 8. 

Ferrari's Felipe Massa surely loved the track, as he won the Turkish GP three consecutive times from 2006 to 2008. Istanbul Park was also famous for the 2010 intra-team collision between Red Bull drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.

It was also in Istanbul Park that Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton clinched his seventh and currently last World Championship in wet conditions.

However, Istanbul Park struggled with poor local race attendance. Rising hosting fees forced local track promoters to remove the track after the 2011 season.

It was brought back in 2020 and 2021, serving as an emergency filler race during the COVID-impacted seasons. In 2022, it was dropped again when normal travel and traditional race hosting resumed.

But the track will return on a five-year deal from 2027 through 2031. F1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali described Istanbul as one of the most "exciting and challenging" circuits in F1.

Meanwhile, the Algarve International Circuit at Portimão is one of the newer circuits on the F1 calendar. Designed by Ricardo Pina, the track hosted by the 2008 World Superbike Championship when it first opened to the public. F1 cars also tested the track that year, including McLaren, Honda, and Ferrari.

In 2020 and 2021, the Algarve International Circuit finally had the opportunity host an F1 race as a substitute venue during the pandemic. Due to its elevation changes, blind crests, and flowing layout, drivers described the track as a "rollercoaster." The dramatic downhill plunge into Turn 1 is also a highlight at Portimão.

Hamilton, who was still driving for Mercedes back then, won both Portuguese Grands Prix in 2020 and 2021. 

The circuit currently has a two-year deal with F1, so let's see if it will stay on the calendar after the 2028 season.