Formula 1 Sporting Director: Negotiations positive for 2021 calendar for Turkey

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - NOVEMBER 11-12: The gong at Turkey’s stock exchange of Borsa Istanbul rang for Formula 1 on Thursday (Nov.12) opening. The Turkish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday at the Intercity Istanbul Park in Tuzla on the city’s Asian side. Turkey is hosting a Grand Prix race for the first time since 2011. Speaking at the gong ceremony, Formula 1 Sporting Director Steve Nielsen said: “It’s a great circuit. Istanbul is a great destination for F1. Whether it actually be on 2021 calendar, I think it’s not decided yet, because it’s still quite far away, but I think negotiations happening and you know, I’m sure they are positive.” Praising the government’s efforts to make the event possible amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Nielsen said: “Formula 1 events would normally take between 12 and 18 months to organize. But this year all those rules have gone out the window like so many others. And so, we’ve done in probably three or four months.” (Footage by Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)