Istanbul Formula One Grand Prix 2009 Tours Program
Turkey
holds its 5nd Formula One Grand Prix in 2009. The spectacular 5.378
kilometer 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 reaching speeds of up to 320 kph.
The Istanbul Racing Circuit is located on the Asian side of Istanbul,
approximately 90 kms from the city centre. An unusual feature of the
venue is that the lap will run anticlockwise, 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 definitely provides the
drivers with real challenge, especially given the reduced downforce
available.
The character of the circuit is 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 the drivers found
plenty of their own once they got used to the track.
As you’d expect from a new venue, spectator facilities are impressive.
Seating capacity is 155,000, with 25,000 of those in the main grandstand,
and parking for 20,000 cars.
Turkey
holds its 5nd Formula One Grand Prix in 2009. The spectacular 5.378
kilometer 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 reaching speeds of up to 320 kph.
