This Mark Webber lap shows why fans are excited the Turkish GP may be returning
A deal has been 'agreed in principle' says the track leaseholder
The Turkish Grand Prix could return to the Formula 1 calendar after the race promoter said a deal had been 'agreed in principle'.
The Istanbul Park circuit hosted F1 races for seven years from 2005 but the last Grand Prix was held in 2011 after a financial dispute with Formula One Management saw the contract cancelled.
But now businessman Vural Ak, who is half way through an 11 year lease on the track, has told journalists that a deal is close with new F1 owners Liberty Media to bring the race back.
'We had a meeting in Ankara earlier today with the President and Chase Carey from Liberty Media, whom I previously invited to Turkey personally before,' he said on Tuesday night.
'All I can say at this point is that the meetings went really well and we agreed in principle. Although the contract hasn't been signed yet.'
Chase Carey meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan - possibly wearing a wizard hat...
The news that the race might be returning got lots of fans excited - especially about seeing the new generation of F1 cars taking on the track, and the superb turn 8 in particular.
In case you've forgotten, this clip of Mark Webber taking pole in the Red Bull in 2010 should remind you why it's a formidable track:
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Comments (4)
worry that with the new regs that the epic turn 9 will just be easy flat now a lot of the more marginal corners were flat in shanghai last week
The difficulty of that triple apex turn wasn't how flat out it was (It was pretty much flat out anyway) but the G forces. I'd imagine that the new regs would make these a lot higher as they'd be going a lot faster.
Attended the last one there in 2011 ... amazing experience, when the RBs were still ruling the track. Love the sound of the "old" V8s!
Awesome track indeed! Looking forward to its return :)
Also notable moments the crash between Vettel and Webber and fight between Hamilton and Button ;)