F1 Formula Track

F1 Formula Track

Formula 1 Istanbul Circuit

The Formula 1 Istanbul Circuit is located in Tepeören village, 9 km from Kurtköy in the Tuzla district of Istanbul, covering a total area of 2,500 acres.

Ayhanlar Holding A.Ş., through its subsidiary Ayhanlar Yol Asfaltlama San. ve Tic. A.Ş., undertook the superstructure works of the Formula 1 Istanbul Circuit as a subcontractor. This scope of work included the construction of a 5,377-meter-long track, 13 runoff areas (escape zones) on both sides of the track, an 850-meter-long pit lane, perimeter roads, inner service roads, outer service roads, emergency passages, a 95,000 square meter truck parking lot, three shopping centers, two helipads, a VIP parking lot, and connection roads. Ayhanlar Yol Asfaltlama San. ve Tic. A.Ş. successfully completed the production, transportation, laying, and compaction of PMAT, PMT, and BSK (Bituminous Base, Binder, and Wearing Course) materials within just 12 months.

For this project, Ayhanlar Yol Asfaltlama San. ve Tic. A.Ş. utilized two SIM-brand 200t/h capacity asphalt plants, one 350 t/h capacity mechanical plant, two Vögele 1900 (2005 model) pavers, one Vögele 1800 (2004 model) paver, two ABG Titan (1999 model) pavers, one Champion (2002 model) grader, five Bomag 161AD-2 steel drum rollers, four STA-brand (2005 model) steel drum rollers, two STA-brand (2005 model) small rollers, two pneumatic tire rollers, two water tankers, one fuel truck, a fully equipped asphalt and soil laboratory, along with a total of 130 personnel, including a project manager, a site engineer, a quality control engineer, a survey and design chief, two quality control technicians, two laboratory technicians, two site foremen, two surveyors, a six-person repair and maintenance team, office staff, paver operators, oilers, and manual laborers.

Intercity Istanbul Park: A World-Class Track

Intercity Istanbul Park is recognized as one of the top three favorite circuits among drivers worldwide due to its counter-clockwise track layout, 60-meter elevation differences, and challenging course design. Particularly, Turn 8—formed by the combination of four corners—has already secured its place among the legendary corners of global motorsports.

Furthermore, before its construction, Turkey had no similar circuits, and the country’s first successful Formula 1 track was built by Ayhanlar Holding.

Drivers and Experts' Opinions on Istanbul Park

Intercity Istanbul Park is widely regarded by drivers as one of the most exciting tracks in the world, thanks to its counter-clockwise design, significant elevation changes, and technical corners. Turn 8, in particular, has already become an iconic section of the circuit.

Michael Schumacher

Legendary Formula 1 driver Schumacher highlighted the technical aspects of the track in his comments:

"At first, it didn’t seem that difficult, but once you're in the car, everything looks completely different... The track has a unique character. Some corners, like Turn 1, have blind exits, making them very interesting. Turn 8 is another challenging section that can be tackled using multiple racing lines."

Lewis Hamilton

One of Formula 1’s most successful drivers, Lewis Hamilton, shared his thoughts on the track’s dynamics:

"It’s an incredibly fun circuit to drive, featuring many different challenges and overtaking opportunities. The track is quite wide, which really helps when attempting overtakes. Physically, it's a very demanding circuit—especially high-speed sections like Turn 8, combined with the track’s heat, present a real test for drivers."

Sebastian Vettel

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel praised the circuit’s engineering and unique features:

"This track is an incredible engineering achievement. Turn 8, in particular, is fantastic—it requires a lot of skill to find the perfect racing line and navigate it smoothly at high speed."

Fernando Alonso

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso also shared positive remarks about Istanbul Park:

"This track is incredibly technical and truly tests a driver’s skills. Even in different weather conditions, it provides an excellent racing experience. Turn 8 is perhaps one of the most iconic corners in the entire racing calendar."

The Impact of Istanbul Park on Turkey

Istanbul Park, Turkey’s first Formula 1 circuit, was completed in 2005 and gained worldwide recognition. Hosting international racing events and motorsports competitions, the circuit has significantly contributed to Turkey’s automotive and tourism industries. Additionally, Ayhanlar Holding was the first company to bring a Formula 1 circuit to Turkey.

Today, Istanbul Park is not only used for Formula 1 races but also serves as a premier location for automotive test drives, training programs, and international events. With its modern infrastructure, the circuit stands as a testament to Turkey’s expertise in sports and engineering on the global stage.