© Vladimir RysCircuit Scout: Istanbul ParkAlex Albon gives us a lowdown on the Turkish track.
LastyearFormulaOnereturnedtoTurkeyforthefirsttimeineightyearsandthisweekendwe’reheadingbackthereafter2020’sracewasfilledwiththrillsandspills,mainlyduetoatracksurfacethatwasasslipperyasgreasedglass.
The rain and slippery surface made for a great race and the track has become a drivers’ favourite due to its mix of high-and low-speed corners. The track has an elevation 46m throughout the lap making for some exciting turns. For 2021 the drivers will complete 58 laps of the 5.338km long circuit.
Circuit Scout: Istanbul Park© @sou_draws
Now they are the facts, but we wanted the opinion of someone who has raced a Formula One car around Istanbul Park. So, we spoke to Red Bull Racing Honda’s Test and Reserve Driver Alex Albon who gave us a drivers-eye view of the circuit.
“There isn’t too much history from the track as last year was the first time we’ve raced there in a long time, and it only hosted its first race in 2005. Saying that though, our Team has a bit of history with the famous Vettel and Webber incident!”
The track was originally designed by Hermann Tilke and is considered one of his best. “There is a lot of elevation, it’s a good mix of high-speed and low-speed turns and is really good for overtaking. The track has been designed really well and you can take different lines to follow a car in front which lends itself to having good races,” Alex explained.
So, if you’re ready, let Alex take you on a lap…
Clouds Loom Over Istanbul Park© Getty Images
The opening turn is a 90-degree left-hander and it drops you straight into the mix. “It’s a blind corner and actually very hard to drive when you first get to the circuit,” said Alex. “You don’t have any sighting reference, so you rely on memory and rhythm to get turn one right – it’s just trial and error at first.”
After a long arching turn two, we come across the first set of corners close together, and this is one place the drivers love. “These are great corners. The track drops so much through each corner and the balance of the car changes massively from the entry to the exit.
“Elevation really does affect your balance, when you go down in a corner the weight of the car changes and the front will go light first and it’ll feel like the front tyres are floating, which makes it tricky.”
Tricky Turns At Istanbul Park© Getty Images
“Last year, there was a dog on the track here – we looked into it and over the years, there’s been plenty of dogs running onto the track. Now, as I’ve mentioned dogs, I’ll shamelessly plug @albonpets. Make sure you follow, thanks for your support, everyone,” Alex joked.
This is a an incredibly fast, bumpy, downhill left-hander that has multiple apexes and drivers need to commit to make the most of it. “It’s a killer,” exclaimed Alex. “But last year we were driving so slowly that fitness levels didn’t come into play. It’s full throttle – just – in the dry. And when I say ‘just’ it’s pooping your pants time.”
This is a wide open-right hander that is another full throttle corner, but: “It’s so slippery.”
The last three corners of the track are a set of fantastic turns for racing. “The corners are very average to drive, but great to race. They are really good for overtaking and battling,” said Alex.
“There’s a long straight leading up to the corners, so you get a tow up to the car in front for turn 12, where you can make your move, but the other car can fight back in the next couple of corners. You have to fight it out all the way through and it’s never really over until you’re back to turn one. It’s a spicy set of turns and can cause crashes, but the good thing about crashing there is it’s only a short walk to the garage,” Alex joked.
Setting The Race Pace In Istanbul© Vladimir Rys
“It’s a great track, but let’s just hope the track is better in terms of grip levels compared to last year,” he said.
“Personally speaking, I thought it was great, it was so different to what we’ve driven before. You’re driving a 1,000-horsepower car on what is essentially an ice rink, that’s pretty fun to me. And I wouldn’t mind it being the same. It’s a 10/10 track, but the lack of grip gets it -5/10 and only 5/10 for logistics.”
