Turkish Grand Prix returns — along with spectators, as F1 announces end-of-season schedule

F1

The final four races of the 2020 F1 season have been announced, with a return to Istanbul for the Turkish GP; a double-header in Bahrain a late finish to the year on December 13 in Abu Dhabi. Spectators will be allowed back into grandstands at some races

Start of 2011 Turkish grand Prix

F1 will head back to Turkey for the first time since 2011

Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Formula 1 will head to Istanbul Park for the first time in almost 10 years, as part of the final leg of the 2020 F1 calendar, which has been announced today

The four-round addition to the calendar extends the 2020 season to 17 races.

A return to Turkey (November 13-15) will be followed by a double-header at the Sakhir International Circuit in Bahrain (November 27-29 and December 4-6) before the short journey to Abu Dhabi for the now traditional season finale under twilight at the Yas Marina Circuit. The final race of the season will take place on December 13.

“We are proud to announce that Turkey, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi will be part of our 2020 season,” said F1 CEO Chase Carey.

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“This year has presented Formula 1 and the world with an unprecedented challenge and we want to pay tribute to everyone across Formula 1, the FIA, the teams, and our partners who have made this possible.

“While we are all disappointed that we have not been able to return to some of our planned races this year we are confident our season has started well and will continue to deliver plenty of excitement with traditional, as well as new, races that will entertain all our fans.”

F1 also announced that fans will be returning to grandstands and hospitality areas at some events, which are yet to be confirmed. Capacity will be limited in line with local guidelines and safety efforts amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The final race on December 13 will be the latest finish to an F1 season since 1962, when that year’s championship finished on December 29 in South Africa.

Revised 2020 F1 calendar in full

Race Circuit Date
Austrian Grand Prix Red Bull Ring 3-5 July
Styrian Grand Prix Red Bull Ring 10-12 July
Hungarian Grand Prix Hungaroring 17-19 July
British Grand Prix Silverstone 31 July-2 August
70th Anniversary Grand Prix Silverstone 7-9 August
Spanish Grand Prix Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya 14-16 August
Belgian Grand Prix Spa Francorchamps 28-30 August
Italian Grand Prix Monza 4-6 September
Tuscan Grand Prix Mugello 11-13 September
Russian Grand Prix Sochi 25-27 September
Eifel Grand Prix Nürburgring 9-11 October
Portuguese Grand Prix Portimao 23-25 October
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Imola 30 October-1 November
Turkish Grand Prix Istanbul Park 13-15 November
Bahrain Grand Prix Sakhir 27-29 November
Sakhir Grand Prix Sakhir 4-6 December
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Yas Marina 11-13 December