Back to Turkey; which drivers did well here?
F1 News
- GPblog.com
Because the coronavirus upset the entire Formula 1 calendar and alternatives had to be found, the Turkish Grand Prix suddenly took place in Istanbul again. After nine years, Formula 1 returns.
Return to Turkey
It is the first time since 2011 that there is a Turkish Grand Prix. The race is held at Istanbul Park circuit, also called Istanbul Racing Circuit. Between 2006 and 2011 seven Formula 1 races were held here. In 2011 it was announced that the race would not return on the calendar because there was no agreement about the costs for the event.
Raikkonen did good business
Only four of the current Formula 1 drivers previously drove a Turkish Grand Prix; Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, Sergio Perez and Kim Raikkonen. Especially Raikkonen did good business in Istanbul. In 2005 he won the first Turkish Grand Prix and was on the podium twice in the following years (2007 and 2008). Hamilton won the race in 2010 and Vettel in 2011. Perez drove for Sauber in his debut year, but did not make it past fourteenth place in 2011.
King of Istanbul Park
The most successful driver in Istanbul is Felipe Massa. Ferrari already called him "the king of Turkey" on social media, thanks to his three victories between 2006 and 2008. Fernando Alonso was on the podium the most. He came second in 2005 and 2006 and third in 2007 and 2011.
The now almost unbeatable Mercedes was not as dominant at the time as it is today. The German team competed in the Grand Prix in 2010 and 2011 with a fourth place of Michael Schumacher in 2010 as best result. There is a good chance that this will be improved this weekend. Will we get a new 'King of Istanbul Park'?