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Circuit History
As Formula One, and in particular Bernie Ecclestone, looks further and further afield, in search of fresh pastures and new money, countries are (seemingly) queuing up to get on to the 'bandwagon'. In 2004, Bahrain and China both hosted their first ever Formula One Grands Prix, with Mexico already signed up for 2006. With Narain Karthikeyan driving for Jordan in 2005, the Silverstone-based outfit now owned by Russian émigré Alex Shnaider, it can only be a matter of time before these two countries also join the 'F1 Club'. In 2005, however it is Turkey which enters F1, as the country which uniquely forms part of both Asia and Europe seeks acceptance after years in a sort of political limbo. Indeed, it is already close to gaining admission to the European Community. Work on the Istanbul Park, which is located in the Tuzla region, began on 10th of September 2003, and is due to be completed in May 2005, three months before Formula One comes to town. The 3.341 mile (5.378 km) track, which runs counter-clockwise, was designed by Hermann Tilke and features 13 corners, while the estimated maximum top speed is 200 mph (320.58 kph). It's understood that up to 130,000 race fans can be accommodated. One (almost) unique factor is that the brand new, purpose-built, circuit is not flat and features various undulations which will hopefully add to the spectacle.

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