Turkish GP close to return

Originally, Istanbul MC Racing won the tender to operate the Istanbul Park circuit for 5mUSD per year until 2020. When it did not deliver the necessary guarantees, the second-best bidder, Intercity Auto Rental Company, took over.

On the subject of the possible return of the Turkish Grand Prix, Intecity boss Vural Rk said: “I personally know Bernie Ecclestone for many years. We presented our projects for Istanbul Park to him and he was impressed. 

"He promised to decrease his 26mUSD demand. The Turkish state will pay 13.5mUSD and I will pay 5mUSD from my personal budget, so we will finish a deal at nearly 20mUSD per year. Bernie’s biggest problem was lack of audience, we guaranteed 50.000 spectators. We want to make a 7-year-deal for Turkish GP. ”

The actual number of spectators expected for the race is 80,000.

When contacted by GoCar.gr, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone told us: “This is a matter that we would be happy to discuss with the appropriate authorities. We would very much like the return to Turkey”.