Turkish Grand Prix Returns: Iconic F1 Moments from Istanbul Park

With the announcement confirming the return of the Turkish Grand Prix in 2027 on a five-year deal with Formula 1, there is no better opportunity to take a short look back and revisit some of Istanbul Park’s most iconic moments.

Introduced in 2005 and running until 2011—before a brief, pandemic-enforced return in 2020—Turkey has delivered everything from infamous teammate collisions and record-breaking races to the crowning of a seven-time world champion. And, of course, the unforgettable triple-apex left-hander of Turn 8.

2008 – Felipe Massa’s Turkey triple

The Brazilian was at the peak of his powers in 2008, and although he trailed reigning world champion and Ferrari teammate Kimi Räikkönen by seven points at the time, Massa’s lights-to-flag victory in Turkey reignited his title challenge.

To this day, Massa remains the most successful driver at Istanbul Park, having secured a hat-trick of victories from 2006 to 2008. The only other multiple winner in Turkey is his old rival Lewis Hamilton, who had to wait a decade between wins, from 2010 to 2020.

2011 – Most pit stops in a dry F1 race

At the time, the 2011 Turkish Grand Prix also set the record for the most overtakes in a race, with 79 passes for position—the highest since 1983.

While that record has since been surpassed—most notably by the 186 overtakes at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix—Turkey 2011 still holds the record for the most pit stops in a dry race.

A total of 81 stops were made across the 23 cars, with most drivers—including race winner Sebastian Vettel—requiring four stops en route to the chequered flag.

The new-for-2011 combination of DRS and fragile Pirelli tyres necessitated these additional stops, with the high-speed demands of Turn 8 placing extreme stress on the rubber.

2020 – Stroll on pole

For all his Formula 1 inconsistencies, Lance Stroll in wet conditions is always one to watch—and in 2020, he delivered with an impressive maiden pole position at the Turkish Grand Prix.

Becoming the first Canadian since Jacques Villeneuve in 1997 to secure pole, Stroll capitalised on the low-grip conditions to put his Racing Point at the front, ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and teammate Sergio Pérez.

The fairy tale ultimately fell short, however. Despite leading the opening stint, severe tyre graining caused Stroll to drop to ninth by the finish. Still, the pole remains an iconic moment.

2010 – Red Bulls collide

Arguably the first flashpoint in what would become a tumultuous relationship between teammates Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel, the young German instigated a high-speed collision at Turn 12.

Webber had been leading Vettel until Lap 40 and had switched into fuel conservation mode. Vettel, however, saw an opportunity with more fuel at his disposal and attempted a move down the inside.

The result: Vettel failed to clear Webber’s front wing, making contact and spinning out of the race. The images of Vettel gesturing in frustration—seemingly blaming Webber—remain iconic.

Intriguingly, McLaren teammates Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton were also battling for the lead at the time and had their own moment of tension, with Hamilton expecting fuel-saving cooperation while Button seized the chance to attack.

2020 – Hamilton’s seventh title

As mentioned, Hamilton’s 2020 victory marked his return to the top step in Turkey after a decade—but it also carried far greater significance.

The win crowned him a seven-time world champion, equalling the record set by Michael Schumacher.

Amid a truncated calendar due to the pandemic, Turkey was one of several returning venues. The race itself became a test of wet-weather mastery, with drivers needing to manage heavily worn intermediate tyres that retained heat better than fresh sets.

Finishing over 30 seconds clear of the field, Hamilton sealed the title in dominant fashion. His post-race message—”that’s for all the kids out there who dream the impossible”—remains one of the sport’s most powerful moments.

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Written by

Jawad Yaqub

An eCommerce Specialist by day and reporting on F1 by night. Jawad is passionate about motorsport, having provided accredited F1 coverage for more than a decade. Live blogging (almost) every grand prix too since 2014, as well as articles on the Supercars Championship. Also keen on sustainability, photography, collecting vinyl, (trying to) expertly barbeque and learning to Dad.

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