Formula One Turkey

Turkey hosted its first Formula One race ever on August 21, 2005 The event has recorded great enthusiasm and promises great future for the game in Turkey. The inauguration of the Turkish Grand Prix as a part of the world championship,

falls within FOM's plans to take the sport to previously uncharted corners of the world, and thus increase its popularity. The event is held at the Istanbul Racing Circuit on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Istanbul Racing Circuit on the has a length of 5.34 km. where the racers are supposed to cover 58 laps and cover a total ground area of above 309 km. It runs anti-clockwise across four different levels of elevation through stretches of green fields and beautiful forests. Designer Hermann Tilke designed the track with many sharp turns at extremely low radii that have posed special challenges for drivers, specially the sharp Turn Eight of the track. However, there have been detractors who complain about the increasing bumps on the track that develop over the weekends.

Turkish Grand Prix is a well-attended event. A sitting capacity of 25,000, along with a viewing capacity for an additional 5000, assures great viewing pleasure for the spectators. The immense viewers' stand attests to the increasing popularity of the game in Turkey.

Kimi Raikkonen was the first winner of the Turkish Grand Prix, driving for Mclaren-Mercedes. Felipe Massa of Ferrari clinched the title in 2006.