The Turkish GP in danger after 2011
The organizers of the Turkish Grand Prix fear losing their Formula 1 race after 2011. Bernie Ecclestone reportedly does not intend to renew the current agreement with the Istanbul Park circuit. The newspaper Today’s Zaman reports that Ecclestone, who has been in charge of the circuits for several years, hinted to the Istanbul Chamber of […]
The organizers of the Turkish Grand Prix fear losing their Formula 1 race after 2011. Bernie Ecclestone reportedly does not intend to renew the current agreement with the Istanbul Park circuit.
The newspaper Today’s Zaman reports that Ecclestone, who has been in charge of the circuits for several years, hinted to the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce that he did not intend to renew his confidence in the Turkish Grand Prix after 2011.
The general manager of Istanbul Park, Can Guclu, confirmed that the long-term inclusion of its race is in doubt as other countries wish to enter the F1 calendar.
« We fear that May 2011 might be the last F1 event in Istanbul, » declared Guclu to Zaman.
« There is serious competition from countries like South Africa, Russia, Bulgaria, and South Korea. South Korea has a very developed economy and places great importance on sporting events. Football is an example, with the World Cup that took place in 2002. Russia, on the other hand, has already started building a circuit. »
Guclu is concerned that negotiations have not yet started for the Istanbul Park contract, which is generally renewed in four-year increments. For example, in 2001, it was agreed to host the first Turkish GP in 2005.
« If we want the Turkish Grand Prix to remain on the calendar, we must start working immediately, » he added.
« We cannot begin to negotiate our race during the last year of the contract. »
« There is still nothing about a possible agreement extension, and no request has been made from either side. »
