Istanbul Park 
Istanbul, Turkey
- Circuit Length 5.338kms
- Circuit Turns 14
- Circuit Direction anti-clockwise
- Capacity 130,000
- Established 2005
- Designer Hermann Tilke
Records and Statistics
| Race | Date | Winner | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First race | Turkish Grand Prix | August 21, 2005 | Kimi Räikkönen (FIN) | full results |
| Last race | Turkish Grand Prix | June 7, 2009 | Jenson Button (GBR) | full results |
| Total races | 5 | |||
| Next race | Turkish Grand Prix | May 30, 2010 | ||
Circuit Info
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. Istanbul is 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; the race however is often badly supported by spectators. Felipe Massa is the most successful driver in the short history of the circuit, winning three consecutive races between 2006 and 2008.
Claire Furnell November 2009
Latest Articles
-
Turkish Grand Prix under threat (December 18, 2009)
-
Button leads Red Bulls to sixth victory (June 7, 2009)
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Massa leads Ferrari double in Turkey (August 26, 2007)
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Massa top in Turkey but spoils Schumacher's title hopes (August 27, 2006)
- Raikkonen storms home from Alonso (August 21, 2005)
