Ben Sulayem held a gathering with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan within the resort city of Marmaris on Sunday, the place the pair mentioned the potential of a return of each F1 and the World Rally Championship.
The gathering was hosted by former Turkish rally champion and FIA World Motor Sport Council member Serkan Yazici and Eren Uciertopragi, the President of TOSFED, the Turkish Car Sports activities Federation.
Talking concerning the talks, Ben Sulayem mentioned: “It was a pleasure to fulfill with President Erdogan. Our talks centred on a variety of matters. We mentioned the potential of a return of Formulation 1 and WRC to Turkey.
“Istanbul Park is a contemporary circuit which is fashionable with drivers whereas the town of Istanbul is a thriving metropolis which might welcome a return of Formulation 1 with open arms.
“President Erdogan additionally recognises the significance of the financial and cultural impression which world class motorsport – Formulation 1 and WRC – brings to the nation.
“TOSFED, our Member Membership in Turkey, have a wealth of expertise in organising and managing main motorsport occasions. If the celebs align, we might see a return of each world-class occasions to Turkey.”
Turkey held an F1 race on the Istanbul Park circuit from 2005 till 2011, and it additionally returned to the scheduled in the course of the COVID-impacted years of 2020 and 2021.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish President
Photograph by: Uncredited
The nation has hosted 10 WRC occasions, with a run from 2003 to 2010 (aside from 2007), after which 2018 to 2020.
The FIA’s eagerness to get Turkey again on the F1 calendar comes following a push by the Istanbul Park house owners to safe a brand new race contract.
The contract of present leaseholders Intercity has expired and a brand new name for tenders has been put out by the Basic Directorate of Foundations.
Its calls for embody a rental charge of $117 million for its period, plus an additional name that the brand new house owners must assure an entry on the F1 calendar from 2026 – with an FOM deal signed inside a month of taking up the venue.
The tender contract states: “The Contractor ensures that Formulation 1 races shall be held on the immovable property, and the protocol to be signed by reaching an settlement on the holding of Formulation 1 races on our immovable property inside one month after the signing of the contract.
“In case of failure to take action, the contract shall be terminated, and the deposited ensures shall be recorded as income to the Administration.”
The successful bidder, because of be introduced this April, may even be chargeable for investing within the improvement of the Istanbul Park circuit and its surrounding areas.