» Turkey set to profit from calendar uncertainty

Continued uncertainty over the likeliness of next year’s Bahrain and Korean Grands Prix could see the Turkish Grand Prix back on the calendar, according to the latest reports.

As we reported last month, the still-uncertain political situation in Bahrain could lead to the race at Sakhir being cancelled once again, and Korean Grand Prix promoters are now realising that forking out huge sanction fees without getting enough ticket sales is not a cost-effective way to do business.

The cancellation of either race could see a calendar reshuffle that would allow the Istanbul race back on the calendar.

The race had previously been dropped from the 2012 calendar after race organisers and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone could not agree to terms over a new contract.

There are reports suggesting that the venue is “on standby” for a late-notice return to the F1 calendar if either Bahrain or Korean fall off the schedule.

It is believed that Ecclestone may be willing to accept a sanctioning fee of just half of what he was asking for from event organisers to host a race in 2012.

[Image via The Cahier Archive]