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 Grand Prix Circuit (2005–present) | |
| Location | Tuzla,Istanbul,Turkey |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°57′6″N29°24′18″E / 40.95167°N 29.40500°E /40.95167; 29.40500 |
| Capacity | 125,000 |
| FIA Grade | 1 (Grand Prix)[1][a] 3 (Intermediate)[a] 6R (Rallycross)[2] |
| Owner | Vakıflar Genel Müdürlüğü (August 2005–present) |
| Operator | Turkish Automobile Sports Federation [tr] (June 2025–present) Can Bilim Eğitim Kurumları A.Ş. (April 2024–December 2024) Intercity (October 2012–March 2024) Bernie Ecclestone (April 2007–September 2012) FİYAŞ (August 2005–March 2007) |
| Broke ground | 23 September 2003; 22 years ago (2003-09-23) |
| Opened | 19 August 2005; 20 years ago (2005-08-19) |
| Architect | Hermann Tilke[3] |
| Former names | İstanbul Park (August 2005–September 2012, April 2024–May 2025) Intercity İstanbul Park (October 2012–March 2024) |
| Major events | Current: FIA World Rallycross Championship World RX of Turkey (2014–2015, 2024–2025) FIA European Rallycross Championship (2025) Former: Formula One Turkish Grand Prix (2005–2011, 2020–2021) Grand Prix motorcycle racing Turkish motorcycle Grand Prix (2005–2007) WTCCRace of Turkey (2005–2006) Le Mans Series 1000 km Istanbul (2005–2006) World SBK (2013) DTM (2005) FIA GT (2005) International GT Open (2006) World Series by Renault (2006) European Truck Racing Championship (2012) |
| Website | https://intercitypark.com |
| Grand Prix Circuit (2005–present) | |
| Length | 5.338 km (3.317 mi) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Race lap record | 1:24.770 ( Juan Pablo Montoya,McLaren MP4-20,2005[4],F1) |
| Intermediate Circuit (2005–present) | |
| Length | 3.925 km (2.439 mi) |
| Turns | 13 |
| Rallycross Circuit (2014–present) | |
| Length | 1.346 km (0.836 mi) |
| Turns | 14 |
Istanbul Park (Turkish:İstanbul Park), also known as theTOSFED İstanbul Park, is amotor sportsrace track in theTuzla district ofIstanbul,Turkey. Designed byHermann Tilke, it opened on 19–21 August 2005. It has been called "the best race track in the world" by formerFormula One Chief ExecutiveBernie Ecclestone, who held the managing rights of the circuit between 2007 and 2011.[5][6][7] The circuit was then managed by the Turkish company Intercity since October 2012 to March 2024.[8] After Intercity, the operator was firstly changed as Can Bilim Eğitim Kurumları A.Ş. in April 2024 for 30 years, however its tender rights was cancelled in December 2024 by the administrative court.[9][10] In June 2025, it was announced that the operating rights of this circuit was given toTurkish Automobile Sports Federation [tr] for at least 10 years, and the name was changed as TOSFED İstanbul Park.[11]
The venue of theTurkish Grand Prix is located in the crossing of boundaries of Pendik and Tuzla districts on theAsian side of Istanbul, close to the junction of Kurtköy on the north side of theO–4 motorway, linking Istanbul toAnkara; and close to the junction of Istanbul Park on the south side of theO–7 motorway. It is nearSabiha Gökçen International Airport and is surrounded by forests and fields.
The Istanbul Park racing circuit was one of only seven circuits running anticlockwise in the 2021 Formula One season, the others being theImola Circuit (used for theEmilia Romagna Grand Prix), theBaku City Circuit (used for theAzerbaijan Grand Prix),Circuit of the Americas (used for theUnited States Grand Prix), theInterlagos Circuit (used for theBrazilian Grand Prix), theJeddah Corniche Circuit (used for theSaudi Arabian Grand Prix), and theYas Marina Circuit (used for theAbu Dhabi Grand Prix). This unusual anti-clockwise layout leads to increased strain on the other side of the driver's neck than they would experience at most other circuits, especially through the long high-speed left-hander at turn 8.[12]
The circuit is 5.338 km (3.317 mi) long, with an average width of 15 m (16 yd) ranging from 14 to 21.5 m (15.3 to 23.5 yd), and covers over 2.215 million square metres (547 acres). With a total of 14 corners, the sharpest with a radius of merely 15 m (16 yd), the circuit runs over four different ground levels with a start/finish straight over 650 m (710 yd) in length.
The track can hold about 125,000 spectators. The main grandstand has aseating capacity of 25,000 spectators, with natural ground stands and temporary stands allowing for around 100,000 more. The paddock buildings are two-level structures; the ground floor reserved for racing teams, the upper floor serving as hospitality areas with 5,000 seats. At each end of the paddock, there are two 7-storyVIP towers.
Turn 8 (nicknamed "Diabolica" by some in reference toMonza'sCurva Parabolica) particularly caught the imagination. The corner is a fast, sweeping corner with four apexes, similar to one of the multi-apex sections of the oldNürburgring. Spectators and drivers alike raved about Turn 8, comparing it to legendary corners such asEau Rouge and130R. The corner eventually became the basis of some of Tilke's newer track turns, such as turns 17 and 18 at theCircuit of the Americas, turn 3 at theSochi Autodrom, andBuddh International Circuit's turns 10 to 11. The high loads exerted through this corner contribute to the circuit's reputation for rapid tyre wear.[13]
Another notable corner is Turn 1, a sharp downhill left-hander immediately after the front straight. This corner has been nicknamed by some as the "Turkish Corkscrew" in reference to the famousCorkscrew atWeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Both the 2006 F1 and MotoGP races at the circuit featured multiple incidents at this corner. A third noteworthy area is the uphill kink in the middle of the back straight; due to its similarity to Eau Rouge, it has been jokingly referred to as "Faux Rouge".
The circuit is not, however, without its critics. After qualifying,Jenson Button claimed that the track was getting bumpier as the weekend went on, particularly at Turn 8, which was what caused so many drivers to spin off. This harks back to another circuit designed by Hermann Tilke,Shanghai International Circuit, which is said to be sinking in places because it was built on the site of a formerswamp.Jarno Trulli was notable for his lukewarm feeling towards the circuit, saying that he felt the circuit was easy to learn, and that good performance was down more to the car than the driver.[14]
The first Grand Prix of Turkey took place in 2005.[15] Due to financial disagreement, the last Turkish Grand Prix took place in 2011, despite earlier reports that the event would take place until at least 2021.[5] The top speed measured of anF1 car by the speed trap was 329.5 km/h (204.7 mph) in 2005. F1 cars equipped with the smaller 2.4-litre V8 engines (instead of the 3.0-litre V10s of previous years) reached 320 km/h (200 mph) in 2006.Felipe Massa has an affinity with this circuit, with the Brazilian winning three of the nine Grands Prix held at Istanbul Park withLewis Hamilton winning two andSebastian Vettel,Jenson Button,Kimi Räikkönen andValtteri Bottas having won one race each.
Istanbul Park returned for the2020 Formula One World Championship, after a nine-year absence.[16]
Istanbul Park was due to replace the cancelledCanadian Grand Prix for the2021 Formula One World Championship.[17] Then it was postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19 travel restrictions imposed on the country by the UK government and was replaced by theStyrian Grand Prix.[18] It was later re-added to the 2021 calendar in place of the cancelled Singapore Grand Prix.
In 2006, the winner of theGP2 race wasNelson Piquet Jr., however the real battle was withLewis Hamilton who, at the beginning of the race, spun off and dropped right down the field from 2nd to 16th.[19] However he raced his way back through the pack with some spectacular overtaking moves to finish in second.
Fifteen racers completed the race in2009 while eleven drivers were not classified. The winner was RussianVitaly Petrov ofBarwa Addax, who moved up to second place in the championship table with 29 points ahead ofJérôme d'Ambrosio having 18 points. Petrov's teammateRomain Grosjean, who retired from the race, was leading the championship with 31 points. TheItaliansLuca Filippi ofSuper Nova Racing andDavide Valsecchi ofDurango finished second and third in the race.
MotoGP raced at Istanbul Park for three years between 2005 and 2007.Marco Melandri won the races in 2005 and 2006 with the 2007 race being won byCasey Stoner. After the venue was taken over by now ex-Formula One chief executiveBernie Ecclestone in 2007, the venue was dropped from the 2008 calendar.
The first leg of the 2012FIA European Truck Racing Championship was held on 13 May 2012 at Istanbul Park.[20] TheSuperbike World Championship raced at the track in2013. TheFIA World Rallycross Championship has organized theWorld RX of Turkey at Istanbul Park in 2014–2015 and 2024–2025, using an area to the outside of turns 12, 13, 14.
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The official lap record for the current circuit layout is 1:24.770, set by Juan Pablo Montoya during the2005 Turkish Grand Prix. While the unofficial all-time track record is 1:22.868, set by Lewis Hamilton in the qualifying of the2021 Turkish Grand Prix.[21] As of August 2025, the fastest official race lap records at the Istanbul Park are listed as:
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