Ben Sulayem had a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the resort city of Marmaris on Sunday, where the two discussed the possibility of a return of F1 and the World Rally Championship.
The meeting was hosted by former Turkish rally champion and member of the FIA World Motor Sport Council Serkan Yazici and Eren ÜçlertoprağI, president of TOSFED, the Turkish Motorsport Federation.
Speaking about the talks, Ben Sulayem said: “It was a pleasure to meet President Erdogan. Our talks focused on a number of topics. We discussed the possibility of a return of Formula 1 and the WRC to Turkey.”
“Istanbul Park is a modern circuit and much appreciated by drivers, while the city of Istanbul is a thriving metropolis that would welcome the return of Formula 1 with open arms.”
“President Erdogan also recognizes the importance of the economic and cultural impact that world-class motorsport – Formula 1 and WRC – bring to the country.”
“TOSFED, our Member Club in Turkey, has a wealth of experience in organizing and managing major motorsport events. If the stars align, we could see the return of both world-class events to Turkey.”
Turkey hosted an F1 race at the Istanbul Park circuit from 2005 to 2011, and it also returned to the calendar in the Covid years, i.e. in 2020 and 2021. The country also hosted 10 WRC events, from 2003 to 2010 ( with the exception of 2007), and then from 2018 to 2020.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish President
Photo by: Uncredited
The FIA's desire to reintroduce Turkey into the F1 calendar follows pressure from the owners of Istanbul Park for a new contract. That of the current Intercity tenant has expired and the General Directorate of Foundations has launched a new tender.
The demands include a rental fee of $117 million over the life of the contract, plus a further demand that the new owners secure entry into the F1 calendar from 2026 – with an agreement with FOM signed within one month of acquiring the facility.
The procurement contract provides that: “The Contractor guarantees the holding of Formula 1 races on the immovable property, and the protocol to be signed by reaching an agreement on the holding of Formula 1 races on our immovable property within one month of signing the contract “.
“In case of failure to reach an agreement, the contract will be terminated and the deposited guarantees will be recorded as income for the Administration.”
The successful bidder, expected to be announced next April, will also be responsible for investment in the development of the Istanbul Park circuit and surrounding areas.
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