A guide to the Turkey Grand Prix Circuit
The Istanbul Park racing circuit will boast cutting-edge technology and superb design, but what will really set it apart is that it is a counter-clockwise track. Making it only one of three racing circuits in the F1 World Championship line-up that are run counter-clockwise (the others two are: San Marino and Brazil). This will make it a challenge for drivers, who are normally used to racing in clockwise direction, and means a physical challenge for them.
The track is 5.33 km (3.31 mi) in length and boasts 14 turns, six of which are right-hand turns and eight are left-hand turns. What will make this circuit interesting to drivers and spectators is the fact that it is built on four different levels or elevations. This means that there are plenty of ups and downs, a challenging feature for the drivers. The main difference between this circuit and others Tilke has designed is that it lacks the long straight that he is known for. In fact, Istanbul Park has a substantial ‘kink’ in the middle of the long straight, which may hamper overtaking opportunities. Maximum speed at the track is estimated at 320.58 kph (199.2 mph).
Since this racing circuit is a new construction, amenities are modern and plentiful. The main Grandstand is expected to hold 30,000 spectators, with additional temporary stands and grounds providing a total spectator capacity of 155,000. The paddock area is made up of two storey buildings, where the upper floor can be used as a hospitality area and provides additional viewing. The circuit also boasts two VIP towers, at the each end of the paddock area, with seven floors in total. Older tracks have parking issues, which Istanbul Park avoids, with a total parking capacity of 20,000 cars along the outer ring road, which is 5.5km in length. It's similar to the lay-out at Sepang in Malaysia, making traffic control and flow of traffic very smooth.