Grand Prix 4 Formula 1 Championship
Grand Prix 4 Championship Time's History
2006 FORMULA 1 Petrol Ofisi Turkish Grand Prix
Turkey makes its debut on the Formula One calendar in 2005 with an all-new purpose-built circuit in Istanbul. The spectacular 5.378 kilometre track is designed by famed German architect Herman Tilke, the man behind Sepang, Bahrain and Shanghai, and features 14 turns – eight lefts and six rights – with the cars expected to reach speeds of up to 320 kph.
An unusual feature of the venue is that the lap will run anti-clockwise, making the Turkish Grand Prix only the third race on the calendar to do so (San Marino and Brazil are the other two). It possesses a wide variety of corners, and while perhaps not as technical as, say, Shanghai, it should definitely provide the drivers with real challenge, especially given the reduced downforce available in 2005.
The character of the circuit should be further enhanced by plenty of gradients – the track is built on four different ground levels. There look to be fewer obvious overtaking opportunities than at some other Tilke circuits – it doesn't feature the long straights followed by tight hairpins that characterise the likes of Sepang and Shanghai – but no doubt the drivers will find plenty of their own once they get used to the track.
As you'd expect from a new venue, spectator facilities should be impressive – organisers know they have to rival the very high standards set by Bahrain and China in 2004. Planned seating capacity is 155,000, with 25,000 of those in the main grandstand, and parking will be available for 20,000 cars. Dominating the circuit's skyline will be two seven-floor VIP towers built at either end of the paddock.