The Turkish Grand Prix (Turkish: Türkiye Grand Prix'i) was a Formula One motor race that was first held on August 21, 2005 as part of the 2005 Formula One season and last held on 8 May 2011 as part of the 2011 Formula One season. It was held at Istanbul Park Circuit, constructed by Hermann Tilke. The circuit is an anti-clockwise circuit.
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 world's best race tracks. Turn 1 is very similar to the first corner of the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Brazil and has also been compared with 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 acceleration of gravity) for 4 seconds. It is actually 4 corners joined together. Many drivers have found this to be one of the trickiest corners in Formula 1.
A year later, Felipe Massa took his first pole position and victory at Istanbul. The Ferraris were 1-2 in early stages of the race, with Massa ahead of Michael Schumacher. Vitantonio Liuzzi's spin brought out the safety car and the Ferraris had to pit on the same lap. Alonso was able to get past Schumacher and the order stayed until the end of the race. Massa repeated in 2007 ahead of his new team-mate Räikkönen.
In 2008, the race was held in May. Two-stopping Massa won the race ahead of three-stopping Lewis Hamilton, although Hamilton had passed him during the race.
For 2011 the race was put in doubt due to the fact that Bernie Ecclestone wanted to double the fees for hosting the race. However Ecclestone confirmed that 2011 would have a 20-race calendar; no races would be taken off and there would be the addition of the Indian Grand Prix.
On 30 July 2011 it was announced that the Turkish Grand Prix would not be on the calendar from 2012.
Read more about Turkish Grand Prix: 2006 Podium Controversy, Sponsors
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