TOSFED takes management of Istanbul Park for Turkish Grand Prix return

Management changes for the Turkish Grand Prix return

TOSFED, the Turkish Automobile Federation, manages the Istanbul Park circuit and acts as the promoter for the Turkish Grand Prix, which returns to the Formula 1 calendar next year. Eren Uclertopragi, the president of TOSFED, said the previous management company, a private firm, did not prioritize the sport, the fans, or Formula 1. This lack of prioritization caused poor experiences for fans during previous race editions. The new management structure aims to meet modern F1 standards through a five-year contract. A challenge in modern Formula 1 involves finding the right balance, as the sport attempts to satisfy both drivers and purists while delivering the spectacle F1 wants to offer younger fans. The return of the race provides a way for F1 to combine glamorous destinations with high-quality permanent tracks. Uclertopragi said that while F1 uses modern street tracks in locations like Miami and Las Vegas to satisfy the TikTok generation with constant overtaking moves, the sport also needs old-school tracks like Istanbul, Monza, Silverstone, and others. He noted that Istanbul, a global city serving as the bridge between Europe and Asia, appeals to both drivers and fans because of the famous Turn 8. The federation intends to use state support to ensure the circuit meets the requirements of the modern era.

Infrastructure and fan experience upgrades

The renovation project focuses on turning the venue into a fan favourite by improving infrastructure and crowd management. Because it was always a drivers’ circuit, the biggest challenge for the next five years is to make the venue a fan favourite as well. TOSFED will double the paddock capacity and build new hospitality units from scratch, including those near the famous Turn 8. The federation also plans to cover most grandstands and build new fan zones. To solve previous traffic issues, engineers already constructed new incoming and outgoing roads to improve the flow of people entering and leaving the circuit. The management of the circuit was previously handled by a private company, which Uclertopragi said led to problems with the fan experience because their prioritization was not the sport or F1. He said the management of the circuit has been handed out to TOSFED to create a new flow with the support of the state.

Asphalt maintenance and long-term stability

The circuit layout will remain the same, but the organizers must address the asphalt surface that previously caused grip problems. During the 2020 race, when Lewis Hamilton secured his seventh world championship, drivers described the conditions as "driving on ice" when it rained. The lack of racing at the circuit before F1 meant there was no race prior to F1 to test the surface. Since the circuit lacked racing, the organizers were not fans of resurfacing the top layer with only a short period of time to go before the race. To prevent this, the federation will host "experience events" at Istanbul Park for at least 30 weeks every year before the return of Formula 1. Uclertopragi said the organizers will change the kerbstones, but they will not change the tarmac this time. The federation aims to host national and international races after the renovation and upgrades are complete to prevent F1 drivers from encountering unpleasant surprises regarding grip levels. This investment targets a period beyond the initial five-year contract, as TOSFED wants to keep the race on the calendar past 2031. If the federation delivers the standards F1 requires and keeps the fans happy, Uclertopragi believes it will be beneficial for both parties to maintain the long-term relationship.