2010 Turkish Grand Prix discussion

This area is for people who are attending or planning to attend the 2010 Turkish Grand Prix

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Use the comments below to share your thoughts on the race, where on the track you intend to watch from, how you’ll get to the track and more.

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2010 Turkish Grand Prix

39 comments on “2010 Turkish Grand Prix discussion”

  1. i’m definetly going because of michael sch(i will be there as a ferrari fan). but i hate the calendar because they moved the race from august, and now i can’t go to turkey for a summer vacation, and quickly jump to istambul for the race.sorry for my bad english. greetings from serbia

    1. Hi
      I´m new here, great forum and website! I´m a noob at following F1, but I have been really hooked on it the last three seasons and I have booked a trip to Turkey to see this years Turkish gp (I wanted to see spa but it was to expensive and to much hassle with transportation and housing). I have a question to you ppl out there if you have any advice as what not to miss and what to avoid going to F1 race in general and the Turkish gp specifically.

      I have ordered tickets on the silver 8 grandstand, is that a good stand to see the race from? I paid appx 260 EUR for 2 tickets including handling and shipping…

      Any advice you have is greatly appreciated.

  2. Hi, I’ve booked to go to the Turkish Grand Prix this year. Also gone for the Silver 8 Grandstand – see you there Bydlo! We paid about 540 EUR for 5 tickets (booked directly on the circuits website).

    Looking forward to a great race and some sunshine. To anyone who has been before, just how bad is the traffic in and out of the circuit? Are the jams around the circuit or around Istanbul? We are staying in Kadikoy rather than European Istanbul.

  3. We would love to come to Istanbul thius year but understand there is no camping near the circuit. Anyone found a good place to stay near the circuit. Any advice welcome! Hope to see you there.

  4. Hi,

    I’m also planing to attend the GP and would like to know which is better, Silver 1 or 8. Could there be any meeting for all the F1Fantics?

  5. Silver 8 for my money.

    Silver 1 you will see up the pit straight and they’ll be very good for the race start, and you’ll see the pit lane exit.

    Silver 8 is probably the most likely overtaking spot (Turn 12), plus you see a lot more of the circuit / cars. You also see the pit lane entry.

    If you use Google Earth, someone has made a 3D model of the main stands and pitlane buildings. If you turn these on, plus the “terrain overlay” (to factor in gradient) you can go and “virtually sit in your seat” then pan around to get a good idea of the view you will have.

    1. Thanks for your reply Growler

      I’ve already booked for silver 8 and I can’t wait to be there to appreciate the show.

      hope to meet there guys

      Another question by the way, do you about any other events scheduled during the GP weekend? Is there a circuit walk…

  6. Hi, I know some people that want to go to the Turkish Grand Prix and would like to know the availability of apartments in Istanbul …

  7. Just noticed that the timetable enclosed with the tickets shows that GP3 Series will be racing at Turkey, but the GP3 Series website doesn’t agree!

    1. Hi Growler, I’m booked but I’m in the USA,and tickets have been forwarded to turkey. I would really appreciate the support race schedule as I can’t find it anywhere on line and I need to plan when to be at the track. I have three day tickets.

      Is it possible to scan and email me the schedule?

      Thanks, David

      1. Hi David,

        On my voucher its indicated that the exchange desk is open at the following times:

        Thursday: 1h30PM-4PM
        Friday-Saturday: 8h30AM-4PM
        Sunday: 8h30AM-1h30PM

        Hope it helps

        Aymanous

      2. Hi David – I’ve been working away from home for a few days, but will post the timetable back here at some point tomorrow when I’m back.

  8. Here you go:-

    Friday

    No time: Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Eastern Europe Practice & Qualifying
    10:00 F1 practice
    12:00 GP2 Practice
    14:00 F1 Practice
    16:00 GP2 Qualifying
    17:00 GP3 Practice

    Saturday

    No Time: Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Eastern Europe Race 1
    11:00 F1 Practice
    12:25 GP3 Series Qualifying
    14:00 F1 Qualifying
    16:00 GP2 Race 1

    Sunday

    No Time: Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Eastern Europe Race 2
    11:30 GP2 Race 2
    12:45 GP3 Race
    15:00 F1 Race

  9. George sakkos
    29th April 2010, 21:19

    Hello! i just booked platinum ticket for the race!!! may i go on thursday morning in the track ? ? ? any ideas?

  10. I’ve got tickets for Silver 8 at Istanbul Park – first grand prix overseas so very much looking forward to it.

    I’d be keen to do a track walk, if they offer such a thing – has anyone done one in Istanbul and/or know whether it is available?

    Also, does anyone have any thoughts on a cab vs. the buses I understand they put on to the grand prix from (e.g.) Taksim Square? Is one much preferable / prohibitively expensive?

    xiablo

    1. I used that to get to the track in 2006. It was free, but it took a very long time (two or three hours) and the bus driver got lost on the way back. If I was doing it again I’d hire a car – and find a route that avoids having to cross the Bosphorous, which is a nightmare.

      1. Hi Keith,

        Can you recall what the currency of choice was at the circuit – Turkish Lira or Euros?

        1. Surely, it will be easier for both you and locals to deal in Turkish currency. Even that not readily accepted, Euros will do if no other option, especially in shops, pubs and the likes. Please bear in mind though, that the exchange rate will be at the seller/waiter discretion.

      2. A route that avoids crossing the Bosphorus? By car? Yes, its possible if you are coming from, lets say, Ankara. When coming down from Istanbul though, there is no way other than crossing the Bosphorus over one of the two bridges available. They are both pretty much overcrowded and the traffic is huge all the time, so plan your trip to the track wisely.

  11. I booked a general admission tickets for the race, does anybody have any tips about what spots are best to watch the race? Are there any big screens which are visible from General Admission area?

    I was thinking of going to the GA area outside turn 8 but I’m not sure which areas are open to general admission.

    1. Hi Gabal,
      I am also going to general admission.
      You can check the places of TV screens here:
      http://www.istanbulparkcircuit.com/tr-tr/Istanbul-Park/Pist-haritasy/

      it seems there is no TV screen for GA and thanx to Uncle Bernie for that. Places of GA has changed in years I guess.

      We will go and try to find out the best place on Saturday. GA starting at T2 may be the optimum choice
      Have fun :)

  12. Here is the official timetable for the weekend:

    Thursday 27th May
    Formula One Press Conference – Press Room 15:00

    Friday 28th May
    Porsche GT3 Cup Practice Session 08:45 – 09:15
    Formula One Practice 1 10:00 – 11:30
    GP2 Practice Session 11:55 – 12:25
    Porsche GT3 Cup Qualifying Session 12:45 – 13:15
    Formula One Practice 2 14:00 – 15:30
    GP2 Qualifying Session 16:00 – 16:30
    GP3 Practice Session 17:00 – 17:30

    Saturday 29th May
    Formula One Team Pit Stop Practice 08:30 – 09:30
    GP3 Qualifying Session 09:45 – 10:15
    Formula One Practice 3 11:00 – 12:00
    Porsche GT3 Cup First Race (12 Laps or 30 Mins) 12:25 – 13:00
    Formula One Qualifying 14:00
    GP2 First Race (32 Laps or 60 Mins) 15:40 – 16:45
    GP3 First Race (15 Laps or 30 Mins) 17:20 – 17:55
    Formula One Safety Car Demonstration Laps 18:10 – 18:20

    Sunday 30th May
    Porsche GT3 Cup Second Race (12 Laps or 30 Mins) 09:25 – 10:00
    GP3 Second Race (15 Laps or 30 Mins) 10:25 – 11:00
    GP2 Second Race (23 Laps or 45 Mins) 11:35 – 12:25
    Formula One Drivers Track Parade 13:30
    Formula One Starting Grid Presentation 13:45 – 14:15
    Formula One National Anthem 14:46
    Formula One Race 15:00

    See you there ;-)

  13. Hi to everyone. I will be attending Turkish Gp for the 3rd time. My english is pretty messed up sorry about that. because i’m a Turkish citizen. I think best way to go to the track is using the shuttles. They are slow but you don’t have to deal with the careless drivers in Turkey. If you want to hire a car you better be careful. Traffic is a mess here. It’s not like in Europe or somewhere else. I got my driving licence 5 months ago and i still have no guts to drive. Track is in Anatolian side of Istanbul so if you don’t want to lose time in traffic jam you can look for a hotel or apartment in anatolian side. Like keith said before, crossing a bridge is a nightmare. I think biggest issue is traffic jam. I live in Istanbul i suffer from that everyday!

  14. Hi everyone,
    I’m from Turkey and I am planning to attend this year’s event as I’ve attended every event since the beginning except the one in 2006. I think Istanbul is a very technical and challenging track for drivers and it’s good to see the best drivers in the world coping with that challenge. There are many good places to watch the action but I can advise to watch the race near Turn 8 since it’s one of the best corners in the world. People who have General Administration tickets can try different places during the practice session to make sure they watch the race from the best possible place as well.
    Feel free to ask if you have any questions..

  15. Steve Brookes
    25th May 2010, 11:59

    Hi all, myself and my gf will be attending the Turkish GP for the first time this weekend. We have booked a hotel in Sultanahmet on the European side. I believe that we can get a shuttle from here to the circuit, however, I’m a bit worried by some comments on here, 3hr journey, congestion on the brifge, etc. Would it be better for us to get a tram, then a ferry to the Asian side then get a shuttle bus. Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.

    1. you can go to Eminonu from Sultanahmet by tram. Then from Eminonu you can pass Asian side by using Eminonu-Kadikoy ferry. Then from Kadikoy you can go to the track by shuttle..

      1. is there a schedule when this boats leave? I have only found schedule of boats that leave from Yenikapi and they seem to go only in the afternoon on Sundays.

        Thanks for the tip about Kadikoy shuttles, where exactly do they leave from? Near the train station I presume?

        1. Hi gabal,
          in circuit website it says bus stop is Kadıköy(Kumluk). You can find exact location in red rectangle in the map here :
          http://wikimapia.org/10545844/tr/Kad%C4%B1k%C3%B6y-Kumluk-Otob%C3%BCs-Duraklar%C4%B1

    2. Hi Steve,
      you can find the details about possible bus services to the circuit here:

      http://www.istanbulparkcircuit.com/en-gb/Istanbul-Park/How-to-get-here/

      if you get your bus from Sultanahmet early in the day you can cross the bridge normally and using tram+boat will not earn you much time, but if you are late you can try tram+boat…

  16. We’re off to the Istanbul GP.

    Staying in a rented appartment near the Galata (sp?) Tower.
    We’ve hired cars and will be using them to get to/from the circuit.

    It was a great way to get to see a GP AND have a weeks holiday in Bodrum for less than it would cost to get decent seats at another GP.

  17. Hi Find myself here in Istanbul and free on Saturday anyone known if you can buy tickets on the day ?

    1. Hi Tim,
      yesterday I watched F1 drivers’ charity football match on TV and the commentators said tickets are on sale at the circuit, you should check it anyway :)

      Also I guess you can buy tickets from “Biletix” shops where you may find on some main streets in İstanbul. Here are the addresses of them:

      http://www.istanbulparkcircuit.com/upload/tickRetailers09.pdf

  18. Does anybody know if we need € or lira at the GP stores cuz I am planing to buy some stuff and it’s my first time there

    1. they can take and lira and euros.

  19. For those who want to buy something in Turkey, better get some Turkish Lira as well. You can shop with Euro in many places but not everywhere. You can even buy tickets from the circuit on Saturday as far as I follow the news from the Turkish media. In Istanbul it takes about two hours to get to the circuit if you are staying in European part of the city, but from the Anatolian side it also takes about one hour. You can find detailed information about how to reach there from the website of Istanbul Park. Enjoy the race as I will…

    http://www.istanbulparkcircuit.com/en-gb/Istanbul-Park/How-to-get-here/

  20. As a record for next year, I’d just like to say that visiting the Turkish grand prix was an extremely enjoyable and straight-forward process.

    In the end, the buses from Taksim Square worked pretty efficiently. The journey is about 90 mins each way but preferable to be in an air conditioned bus than a hot cab with the meter running…

    We got the feeling the track wasn’t the best attended race (particularly on Friday when we got most of the place to ourselves) but sitting in Silver 8 allowed us to see the Red Bulls frolicking and with a decent view of the main straight.

    Would happily recommend the experience to anyone looking for an international race to attend.

  21. Hi

    I see several people have asked about camping at Istanbul Circuit but no one has answered? Is it possible to camp?

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