F1 News
F1 rumour: Turkish Grand Prix may return on calendar
Kimi Raikkonen driving the Ferrari F60 in Turkey (2009)
Latest F1 rumours are that Turkish F1 grand prix will have return on the F1 calender.
Formula one raced at the Hermann Tilke-penned Istanbul Park – featuring the famous four-apex Turn 8 corner – between 2005 and 2011.
Bernie Ecclestone and race organisers could not agree a new race fee for 2012 and beyond.
But late last week, British journalist Bob Mackenzie, of the Daily Express, revealed that the F1 chief executive is “pushing for a return” of the Turkish event, “after ruling out a French race”.
Greek website gocar.gr said the decision will be made in the coming week.
Turkey’s change of fortune is due to a local businessman, Vural Ak, buying the circuit’s management rights.
“I’ve known Bernie Ecclestone for many years,” he said.
Ak, who is willing to pay $5m out of his own pocket, said Ecclestone is asking for a $26 million fee for the race.
He said the Turkish government is willing to put in $13.5 million, “So we are close to the sum of about $20 million a year”.
Ecclestone said: “It is an issue that we would be happy to discuss with those responsible.
“We would very much like to return to Turkey.”
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