Formula 1 is set to confirm the return of the Turkish Grand Prix after nine long years out of the racing calendar.
Pending agreement, a return to Istanbul Park will confirm a 17-race calendar for the 2020 season, something that looked unlikely a few months ago as the F1 faced uncertainty of a season even going ahead.
The idea of a return to Turkey was received favorably by the current grid last weekend in Barcelona, most of whom have not driven at Istanbul at F1 level.
Renault driver Esteban Ocon has never driven at Istanbul in his short motorsport career, the 23-year old told Autosport.com of his excitement of Turkey coming back to the calendar.
“Turkey is a fantastic circuit, if it comes to the calendar, awesome,” he said.
"Old school circuit, something I was watching on TV when I was younger. The massive left-hander, flat out, is going to be pretty impressive."
Haas driver Romain Grosjean, who has previously raced there in GP2, is another one who speaks glowingly of the track.
“I think it would be bloody awesome. It's such a cool track,” he said.
“Turn 8 is a good one for the neck, so I think it would be very fast.”
After losing races in USA, Mexico and Brazil, the FIA have been looking at potential locations to help close out the season.
It is understood that the Turkish Grand Prix will follow two weeks after the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola on November 15th, that will be confirmed by the FIA at a later date.
This will be followed by two races at the Sakhir International Circuit in Bahrain and the season-closing race at Abu Dhabi in mid-December.