Turkey hoping to impress
Turkish Grand Prix organisers hope this weekend’s inaugural race can propel them closer to their dream of hosting the Olympic Games.
The Olympics are one of only two sporting events to attract greater attention than Formula One – alongside the football World Cup – and city chiefs want the race at the Istanbul Otodrom to pave the way for a successful bid.
The city, which is uniquely positioned in both Europe and Asia, has failed in bids for the 2008 and 2012 Games, not even reaching the final shortlist for the bidding race eventually won by London.
But Istanbul chamber of commerce chairman Murat Yalcintas, whose organisation has funded the grand prix, wants Formula One to prove Turkey's ability to host world-class events.
The city, which is beset by traffic jams, also hosted this year's Champions League final and Yalcintas said: “Now we want the Olympics.”
