Circuits

One of a batch a modern-day circuits designed by Hermann Tilke, Istanbul Park is a high speed track where F1 cars can reach speeds of over 205mph. Until is was axed in 2012. Istanbul was one of only four current F1 circuits that runs anti-clockwise, the others being Singapore, Brazil and the new track in Abu Dhabi.

Although the circuit does not feature Tilke's trademark long straight followed by a hairpin to encourage overtaking there are still numerous opportunities throughout the lap. The most challenging corner on the track is the multi-apex turn eight where drivers experience a load of 5G.

The circuit offers excellent spectator facilities with a capacity of 130,000 people, but after a good first year, attendances plummeted . Local interest was never more than lukewarm, and prohibitive costs dissuaded those that followed the sport, while the hoped-for influx of visitors never materialised. After several years of speculation over the race's future, Bernie Ecclestone quietly pulled the plug at the end of 2011.