22/04/2005
NEWS STORY
On Sunday, 15 May, the Renault F1 Team, current leaders of the World Championship, will run their F1 car in the historic Istanbul city centre.
On Sunday, 15 May, three months before the inaugural Fomula 1 Grand Prix of Turkey, the Renault F1 Team, current leaders of the World Championship, will run their F1 car in the historic Istanbul city centre, at the Sultanahmet hippodrome. The stars of this free-to-all show will be Fernando Alonso and his F1 car, making their first visit to Istanbul to share the emotions of their spectacular sport with the Turkish public.
After last weekend's demonstration with Giancarlo Fisichella in Rome's history-laden Circus Maximus, the Istanbul hippodrome will come to life once again for a major event on 15 May. The historic heart of Istanbul will welcome a parade of historic racing cars on the route of the ancient hippodrome, followed by Fernando Alonso demonstrating his F1 car for ten laps of the circuit.
The people who come to see the F1 car are in for a treat – and one that is completely free! As the current championship leader Fernando Alonso laps the street circuit, it will give spectators who have never before seen an F1 car, the chance to marvel at its phenomenal power and braking capabilities up close. For the Turkish public, it is a unique opportunity ahead of the inaugural Turkish Grand Prix on 21 August to come and sample, in relaxed surroundings, the emotion of motorsport's leading category.
Ibrahim Aybar, Managing Director of Renault MAIS, is delighted with the event: "Interest in F1 in Turkey is growing every day. I would like to thank the Governor and Mayor of Istanbul for giving us the opportunity, three months ahead of the inaugural Turkish Grand Prix, to present this unique spectacle to the public. The Roadshow is proof of how determined we and the Renault F1 Team are to take F1 to the spectators, and get them involved in this exciting sport. I hope the public will turn out in force to share the experience with us."
Excited about the prospect of visiting Istanbul, Fernando Alonso commented: "I am pleased that we will be going to Turkey for a new Grand Prix this year. I don't know Istanbul, but I am looking forward to going there, and I am pleased to have this unique opportunity to drive my F1 car in the streets of such an historic city! The Renault F1 Roadshow in Madrid two years ago is an unforgettable memory for me, and I am sure it will be the same in Istanbul. I am looking forward to being able to meet the Turkish fans at an event like this, where they can get close to the action – so that we can really share the excitement of our sport with them."
Michelin and Elf, historic partners of the Renault F1 Team, will participate in the event, which has been organised with the assistance of Tomsfed.