Turkish Grand Prix organisers planning for 100,000 fans; tickets just £3 per day
Turkish Grand Prix organisers planning for 100,000 fans; tickets just £3 per day
The organisers of this year's returning Turkish Grand Prix are hopeful of a 100,000 crowd for the mid-November event at Istanbul Park.
Following a nine-year absence, Turkey stepped forward as one of the countries to host a grand prix on what is now a finalised 17-race calendar despite the problems faced this year due to Covid-19.
While Vural AK, chairman of circuit owners Intercity, is aiming for a six-figure crowd, GPFans understands such a number is merely aspirational, and that an audience of around 60-80,000 may work as a compromise with F1 and the FIA under the circumstances. Ak claims 20,000 of those could be accommodated from overseas.
"We plan to host 100,000 people by applying the highest level of measures," said AK, speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, and reported by Turkish sports website mackolik.com. "This is dependent on our continued successful fight against the disease.
"Our race, along with those in Portugal and Russia, will be held with spectators. For this reason, Formula 1 management has placed great importance on being able to hold a safe event for the fans, with the support of our public institutions.
"Had it not been for the pandemic, we believe that 220,000 people would have watched the race."
Ak's statement is a bold one given the decline in spectator numbers over the years which ultimately led to it being withdrawn from the calender after a six-year run, and despite the circuit being one of the most demanding in the eyes of the drivers.
In a bid to attract such a high crowd, tickets that are due to go on sale next week are to be priced at 30 Turkish lira (£3) per day.
"So that our people can share this excitement as much as they wish, as a result of the intense meetings we have had with Formula 1 management, the ticket prices have been set at 30 lira per day for certain points of the track," added Ak.
"By paying only 90 lira [for the three days], fans will experience both the excitement of Formula 1 and other surprises we have prepared for the participants.
"This project is without any expectation of profit. It's more for the publicity and prestige of our country."
Ak, who has confirmed it was his company that struck a deal with F1 on this occasion compared to the Turkish government previously, believes the running of a successful event this year will lead to the signing of a new long-term deal from next season.
"We have done our part," said Ak. "All fees to Formula 1 will be paid by us.
"We are happy to organise this huge event without creating a financial burden on our state, but we need the support of all public and private sector players to make this a much more successful event.
"If we organise the race successfully, we will open the door to a long-term contract that will begin next year. But for now, we have only signed a one-year contract."
Before you go...
Russell calls for further safety improvements following "dramatic" Spa smash
Horner bored with one-stop races, demands strategy shake-up
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Ricciardo boss in 'super disappointing' claim amid RB stars' performance
- 7 minutes ago
F1 team 'set to announce MEGA signing' in major Red Bull challenge
- 1 hour ago
Horner in BRUTAL Wolff swipe amid Verstappen to Mercedes links
- 2 hours ago
Hamilton car camera captures Verstappen's TRUE feelings toward F1 rival
- 3 hours ago
F1 star hits back at Sky pundit with 'boring old man' jibe
- Today 17:57
F1 champion DOUBTS passion of new fans
- Today 15:58
Related news
F1 reveals viewing figure drop for European based 2020 season
Pirelli boss hails "miracle" despite "nightmare" 2020
Survival the only positive for Haas from dismal 2020 - Steiner
Ricciardo reveals internal pressure for podiums during time with Renault
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860