Turkish Grand Prix

F1 race
Name =

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Circuit = Istanbul Park
Circuit_

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Laps = 58
Circuit_length_km = 5.338
Circuit_length_mi = 3.317
Race_length_km = 309.396
Race_length_mi = 192.250
First_held = 2005
Last_held = 2008
Most_wins_driver = flagicon|Brazil Felipe Massa (3)
Most_wins_constructor = flagicon|Italy Ferrari (3)
Current_year = 2008
Pole_driver = flagicon|Brazil Felipe Massa
Pole_team = Ferrari
Pole_time = 1:27.617
Winner = flagicon|Brazil Felipe Massa
Winning_team = Ferrari
Winning_time = 1h 26m 49.451s
(213.808 km/h)
Second = flagicon|UK Lewis Hamilton
Second_team = McLaren-Mercedes
Second_time = +3.779s
Third = flagicon|Finland Kimi Räikkönen
Third_team = Ferrari
Third_time = +4.271s
Fastest_lap_driver = flagicon|Finland Kimi Räikkönen
Fastest_lap_team = Ferrari
Fastest_l

The Turkish Grand Prix is a Formula One motor race that debuted on August 21, 2005 as part of the 2005 Formula One season. It is held at the newly built Istanbul Park Circuit, constructed by famous German civil engineer Hermann Tilke. The circuit is only the third anti-clockwise circuit on the Formula One calendar after the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy and the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Brazil.

Tilke has stressed how the track follows the contours of the land, which dips and falls. This is in contrast to some of his other recent tracks, the topography of which did not allow such variation. It takes an influence from many of the worlds best race tracks. Corner 1 is very similar to corner one in Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Brazil and has also been compared to the "corkscrew" at Laguna Seca. There is a flat-out kink on a hill similar to Eau Rouge corner at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps; fans have jokingly referred to this as "Faux Rouge."

Turn 8 is probably the best corner on the track. It is a quadruple apex corner with a load of 5G (5 times the force of gravity) for 4 seconds. It is actually 4 corners joined together. Many drivers have found this a very tricky corner of the circuit.

Because of the nature of the circuit the 2005 Turkish Grand Prix weekend saw exciting on-track action, with many drivers spinning off throughout the weekend due to pushing too hard, particularly at Turn 8. Juan Pablo Montoya memorably lost it at Turn 8 with two laps to go, following a tangle whilst trying to lap Tiago Monteiro. This allowed Fernando Alonso to take second place behind Kimi Räikkönen, an event which had a significant bearing on their battle for the World Championship headed towards its culmination.

2006 podium controversy

As part of the podium ceremony after the 2006 race, the winner's trophy was presented by Mehmet Ali Talat, who was introduced to television viewers via the captions as the president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a state which is only recognised by Turkey. The FIA announced they would be investigating this incident, as a possible breach of the organisation's political neutrality. The identity of the person who would present the winner's trophy was left to the last minute, leaving the FIA no time to veto the choice. Some commentators feared this incident could jeopardise the future of the Turkish Grand Prix, and possibly also Turkey's round of the World Rally Championship, another FIA-sanctioned series. [http://www.planet-f1.com/News/Story_Page/0,15909,3210_3213_1459823,00.html] In the end, the punishment was a $5 million fine. [http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns17474.html]

Sponsors

The Turkish petroleum company, Petrol Ofisi is the main sponsor of the race. Since 2006, the official title of the event has changed to the "Petrol Ofisi Turkish Grand Prix", after a sponsorship deal was agreed with the owners.

Winners of the Turkish Grand Prix

Ferrari's Brazilian Felipe Massa has dominated the Turkish GP for the past three years in Qualifying and Race Day. He has achieved all Pole positions and Victories since 2006.

External links

* [http://www.turkeygrandprix.com/ Official web site]