Return of Formula 1 to Istanbul Park: Look back at Turkish Grand Prix history

Formula 1 fans are eagerly anticipating the return of the sport to Istanbul Park, with the recent announcement of plans to bring the race back to the city. Efforts to bring Formula 1 back to Türkiye are in full swing under the leadership of the new owners of Istanbul Park. This time, however, Turkish officials are also involved in the process, with the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, and the Minister of Youth and Sports, Osman Askin Bak, having held a crucial meeting with Formula 1 officials in December.

The outcome of these discussions has been promising, with Türkiye now required to submit a letter of guarantee to Formula 1 management within the next month. If the letter is submitted on time, the Istanbul Grand Prix will be part of the 2026 Formula 1 calendar.

Formula 1 returns to Istanbul: Rich history of memorable moments

The Istanbul Grand Prix has held a unique place in Formula 1 history, taking place at the Istanbul Park circuit designed by German engineer Hermann Tilke. The races at this track have featured spectacular performances and dramatic moments.

The first Formula 1 race in Türkiye took place in 2005 and continued until 2011, before making a brief return in 2020 and 2021.

First Turkish Grand Prix (2005)

In the inaugural 2005 Turkish Grand Prix, Finnish driver Kimi Räikkönen (McLaren-Mercedes) claimed victory, followed by Fernando Alonso (Renault) in second place and Juan Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes) in third.

The fastest lap, which still stands as a track record, was set by Montoya with a time of 1:24.770.

Dominance of Felipe Massa (2006-2008)

Brazilian driver Felipe Massa (Ferrari) became the star of Istanbul Park in the following years, winning three consecutive races from 2006 to 2008. In the 2006 Turkish Grand Prix, Massa led from start to finish, securing his first-ever Formula 1 victory. In 2007, Massa repeated his success and claimed the race win again. The 2008 race saw him win for a third time, making him the most successful driver at the Istanbul Park circuit.

During this period, the track witnessed several dramatic moments, such as the crash-filled 2006 race where multiple drivers, including Kimi Raikkonen and Giancarlo Fisichella, were involved in accidents. The 2008 race also featured a spectacular battle between Massa and Raikkonen, with the latter setting the fastest lap time of the weekend (1:26.506).

Red Bull collision (2010)

The 2010 Turkish Grand Prix became infamous for a collision between Red Bull Racing teammates Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, which occurred as they fought for the lead. As Vettel accelerated out of Turn 11, he made contact with Webber, resulting in a race-ending puncture for Vettel. Webber continued with a damaged front wing but ultimately finished the race in third place.

This incident marked a turning point in the 2010 season, which was closely contested between the two drivers.

Unforgettable pit stops and Lewis Hamilton’s triumph (2011-2020)

The 2011 race featured one of the most memorable moments in Istanbul Park history, when Ferrari’s Felipe Massa and McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton narrowly avoided a pit lane collision. Massa was called into the pit, but McLaren was also preparing for Hamilton’s stop. The two drivers emerged from their respective pits and nearly collided in a dramatic sequence of events that was narrowly avoided.

In 2020, Formula 1 made a surprise return to Istanbul Park amid the COVID-19 pandemic. British driver Lewis Hamilton, who started the race in sixth position, went on to claim victory and secure his seventh world championship title, equaling Michael Schumacher’s record. The 2020 race also marked the first appearance of Istanbul Park in the Formula 1 calendar since 2011.

Memorable moments and achievements

Here are some key moments and records from the Istanbul Grand Prix:

• 2006 controversial start: The 2006 race saw a dramatic first-corner incident, involving several drivers, including Ferrari’s Felipe Massa and Michael Schumacher, who blocked Renault’s Fernando Alonso. Following a spin by Giancarlo Fisichella, several drivers collided, causing significant damage to their cars.
• Felipe Massa’s dominance (2006-2008): Massa’s three victories at Istanbul Park remain unmatched, making him the most successful driver in the history of the Turkish Grand Prix.
• 2010 Red Bull collision: The infamous incident between Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber in the 2010 race is remembered as one of the most dramatic moments in F1 history. Their crash handed victory to Jenson Button (Brawn GP).
• Pit stop drama in 2011: In the 2011 race, Ferrari’s Felipe Massa and McLaren Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton narrowly avoided a pit lane collision. Hamilton reported worn rear tires and was called in for a pit stop. Seeing McLaren’s preparation, Ferrari also called Massa in. After completing their stops, the two drivers nearly collided in the pit lane, but Massa’s quick move prevented the crash.
• Lewis Hamilton’s seventh championship (2020): Hamilton’s victory at the 2020 race secured his seventh world title, equaling Michael Schumacher’s record.

Istanbul Park’s legacy

The Istanbul Park circuit remains one of the most challenging and admired tracks in Formula 1. With a combination of fast straights, sharp corners, and elevation changes, the circuit offers thrilling racing and has earned a reputation for producing exciting races and unforgettable moments.

Key records and statistics:

• Lap Record: The fastest lap around Istanbul Park was set by Juan Pablo Montoya in 2005 with a time of 1:24.770.

• Most wins: Felipe Massa holds the record for the most wins at the Istanbul Grand Prix with three victories (2006, 2007, and 2008).

• Fastest lap: The fastest lap in 2006 was set by Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) with a time of 1:28.005, while the fastest lap in 2007 was set by Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) at 1:27.295.

Results overview:

Year	Winner	Team	Fastest Lap Driver	Fastest Lap Time
2021	Valtteri Bottas	Mercedes	Kimi Räikkönen	1:26.050
2020	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes	Lewis Hamilton	1:29.046
2011	Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull Racing	Sebastian Vettel	1:29.000
2010	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren	Lewis Hamilton	1:27.579
2009	Jenson Button	Brawn GP	Jenson Button	1:27.579
2008	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	Kimi Räikkönen	1:26.506
2007	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	Kimi Räikkönen	1:27.295
2006	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	Michael Schumacher	1:28.005
2005	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	Juan Pablo Montoya	1:24.770

Istanbul Park has a rich history in Formula 1, with multiple memorable races, dramatic moments, and iconic performances. With plans to bring Formula 1 back to Türkiye in 2026, the excitement surrounding the sport’s return to Istanbul is reaching new heights.

The city’s legacy as a motorsport destination is secure, and the future looks promising as Türkiye looks to host more thrilling races at Istanbul Park.