Istanbul Park – Istanbul

When was the track built?

Inaugurated in 2005, after two years of works, designed by F1 official architect Hermann Tilke, it has hosted GPs until 2011, where financial struggles took it out from the calendar.
In 2020 and 2021 it has benefitted from the much-disrupted Formula One seasons, due to coronavirus, and has been used to replace cancelled appointments, but thanks to the new F1 organization, it will now be included in the Circuit Database.

When was its first Grand Prix?

In 2005, won by Kimi Raikkonen’s McLaren-Mercedes, who also started on pole, in front of title rival Alonso, on Renault; Montoya completed the podium.
It will be the starting appointment for the F1 Middle East Continental Series.

What’s the circuit like?

It is often looked at as one of the best designs among modern Tilke’s circuits, particularly thanks to the iconic Turn 8, an incredibly fast, bumpy, multi-apex downhill left-hander, extremely challenging for drivers.
But it’s also the good mix of fast and slow sections, with interesting elevation changes that normally contributes delivering interesting races.

Where is it located?

Near to the village of Akfıra, around 40 miles from Istanbul and its International airport. (+ 40°57’28”, + 29°24’39”)