Circuit guide for Turkish Grand Prix
Located 55km of Istanbul, Istanbul Park circuit has been hosting the Turkish Grand Prix since its arrival on the Formula One calendar in 2005.
Surrounded by both the Sultan Ahmed (known as the Blue Mosque) and Sulemaniye Mosques, Istanbul offers the chance for Formula One fans to experience the makings of the Ottoman Empire and Constantinople. Also, the Cagaloglu Hamam (the oldest Turkish Baths) and the Grand Bazaar (one of the world’s most exciting shopping experiences) offer further attractions for the fans.
As one of only three anti-clockwise circuits on the calendar – the other two being Singapore and Interlagos in Brazil – the track tests the fitness of the drivers’ necks as they are used to the conventional clockwise tracks.
When the paddock arrives at Istanbul Park, you immediately mention turn eight. Consisting of a series of four left-handed turns, turn eight is one of those parts of a circuit that drivers like, similar to Eau Rouge at Spa Francorchamps, Belgium, and Casino at Monte Carlo.
Entering the series of turns at over 260km/h, the driver will experience over 5g of gravitational force, taking the corners full throttle for over seven seconds. Turn eight doesn’t forgive the driver if they get it wrong, like Juan Pablo Montoya did in 2005, and Michael Schumacher in 2006, as both ran wide. It just keeps on turning left. The strains on the neck are immense, and for 58 laps of the race, one of the toughest for the drivers to compete in.
This season turn eight will be extremely difficult to cope with, as the refuelling ban means the cars will have a full tank of fuel onboard. Going flat out will be a brave move. As the fuel goes down and the cars become lighter, turn eight will be easier to handle.
With a circuit length of 5.338km, the Turkish Grand Prix can experience track temperatures as high as 55 Celsius, just another factor for the drivers to cope with.
Unlike the most recent race at Monaco – the tightest on the Formula One calendar – Turkey offers a wide track, especially heading into the blind first turn.
The setup of the car must balance the slow turns of four and five-second gear corners at 100km/h, the long straights of the start-finish line and the back straight after turn 10.
Designed by the German architect Herman Tilke, Istanbul Park remains a favourite amongst the drivers, and has been a good addition to the calendar.
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