Why does the Turkish circuit go the other way round?

Question

Most circuits go clockwise, but Istanbul Park goes anti-clockwise - why? And why can they not change it, so all the circuits are the same? I have looked at the map of the circuit and the run-off areas look as though they are on all the corners. Surely it will be safer for the drivers' necks (the G forces) if the same muscles are used all the time.

Answer 1

Well they have to unwind sometime don't they.

Answer 2

There are 4 circuits on this year's calendar that run anti-clockwise. And Turkey's just one of them. It's a change from having races that run clockwise. Plus, we must also make sure that both sides of their necks get some exercise eh? It also probably has something to do with the construction of the circuit.

Answer 3

The whole point is to make the circuits different.  If they were all the same then the may as well just race on the same one all year.

Answer 4

Because when you go from West to East, the clocks go forwards!  GMT + AND GMT - Just joking LOL

Answer 5

There's no particular reason a track has to run clockwise, no rule against it so the answer is, well, just because.

I don't think it's refreshing to go to a track that runs in a different direction, I don't think it means anything at all.

I'm used to running my kart clockwise but once I went to an anticlockwise track and I hadn't even noticed until you asked and I recalled it.

Answer 6

A little variety is nice.

Answer 7

well, unlike Nascar, they actually do turn in both direction in all the circuit.

Of course clockwise circuit they will turn right more, but if you look at say british GP, some high speed sweeping corner are lefthander, so while the do lesser left hand turn, the G experienced might be higher.

While there are talks about driver having problem, these days its not much of an issue anymore.

the drivers are fine, there is no danger