Turkey and Greece eye dates on F1 calendar
16 August, 2012
Aug.15 (GMM) Turkey could return to the Formula One calendar and Greece is reportedly investigating possibilities of hosting a grand prix
Between 2005 and last year, despite poor spectator attendance, drivers enjoyed the Hermann Tilke-designed Istanbul layout, featuring the unique quadruple-apex Turn 8 venue of the Turkish GP.
But the race was not included on the 2012 schedule, after organisers and F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone disagreed over the sanctioning fee.
81-year-old Ecclestone, however, said on Wednesday that he, the teams and the FIA are “happy” to go to Turkey.
He told the major daily Haberturk: “If we can solve this [fee] problem, Turkey can return to the F1 calendar.”
It is not known if the news is linked to recent reports that, amid Greece’s severe economic crisis, the country could enlist neighbour Turkey’s help to stage a Formula One street race in Athens.
A report in the Hurriyet daily said that Greece was in serious talks with Turkish race official Mumtaz Tahincioglu.
“We have to support all projects that market Greece,” said Greek sports minister Kostantinos Cavares.
Subbed by AJN.
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Another country with empty stands & no real interest in F1…only full thing will be Bernie’s bank account..!
Personally I think F1 is loosing more fans than they gain by having races at these new countries without real F1 fans!!
Why not include South Africa, Argentina or Mexiko?
Greece want a Grand Prix? Who will pay for the circuit? justiclude it in th enext EU bail out ! hahahahaha
I don’t mind if Istanbul doesn’t return to the calender. Because, as all Tilke tracks… it’s catastrophically BORING.
@Petros, for sure, Greece needs to sure up its financial situation before Bernie will really think about it.
it’s “Tzavaras”! Not Cavares!
for all us greeks who love F1 seems like a dream that will never come true. A greek F1 circuit…
@Bec, we should put a track right in the DMZ of Korea.
Iraq too, the city of Erbil in northern Iraq would like to build a race track.