Istanbul Park returns to the Formula 1 calendar once again in 2021. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of attending the Turkish Grand Prix on October 8-10!
The Turkish Grand Prix is back on the calendar in 2021 after a highly entertaining race weekend in 2020. Last year’s race marked the Istanbul Park circuit’s first appearance on the F1 calendar since 2011. The Turkish Grand Prix was first held in 2005, with the Hermann Tilke-designed track being hailed by drivers for its challenging layout.
Originally scheduled to be a replacement event for the Canadian Grand Prix in June, the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix now takes place on October 10; the previous date having been called off due to travel restrictions.
Fans in attendance for the first time since 2011
Unlike in 2020, fans will be in attendance at this year’s event. Grandstand tickets are still available for the race. Race organisers had planned on having fans in attendance at the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix, but an escalating number of coronavirus cases in the country saw those plans shelved.
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2021 will therefore be the first Turkish Grand Prix with fans in attendance in ten years. Fans were last present at the Turkish Grand Prix at the 2011 race, before the event fell off the calendar. You can expect a high attendance for this race. Last year, 100,000 fans were expected to visit the circuit, with almost half of those tickets being sold within hours of their release.
Do I need a visa to visit Turkey?
Unless you possess a valid passport issued by a visa-exempt country, you will need to apply for a visa to travel to Turkey. There is an extensive list of visa requirements for each country on Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
If you require a visa, you can obtain one online via the Electronic Visa Application System. For British citizens, if you are travelling to Turkey for a visit of less than 90 days, you are able to travel without a visa.
Turkish Grand Prix coronavirus protocols
Turkish Grand Prix organisers say they are working with Turkey’s Ministry of Health to ensure the safety of those attending the race. There will be a number of measures in place to aid with this. Event spaces have been designed to help with social distancing and areas will be regularly disinfected over the race weekend. You should be aware that face coverings must be worn at all times and temperature checks will be carried out upon your entry to the circuit.
Entry requirements at the Turkish Grand Prix
All attendees must adhere to the HES code. If you are a Turkish citizen, you must prove that you are either vaccinated, have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 180 days or supply a negative PCR test result which is no older than 48 hours. You can show proof of this with the HES app. Note that, if you are supplying a negative PCR test, you will require two tests if you are attending all three days of the race weekend.
Visitors to the circuit from abroad must fill out the HES form online no more than 72 hours before travelling to Turkey. The form can be found here. You will not need any additional documents such as a negative PCR test result, vaccination card, or evidence of COVID history.
More information about entry requirements to the Turkish Grand Prix can be found here.
Getting to the circuit
Istanbul Park is located around 45km east of Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. Heavy traffic is common near Istanbul – and Grand Prix weekend traffic will only add to this. We recommend travelling to the circuit by taxi or Uber as it is likely to be the quickest way of getting there. It may be worth checking with your hotel for private transfers from the hotel to the track.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport is located only 10km west of Istanbul Park. You could catch the Havabus shuttle to the airport and take a taxi or Uber from there to the circuit. More information about the shuttle service can be found here.
It’s also possible to take the metro from central Istanbul and then a shuttle bus to the circuit. See the map above. Buses are available at the following metro stops:
- M4 Metro – Tavsantepe Station (16km / 29 minutes from circuit)
- Marmaray – Pendik YHT Station (16km / 31 minutes from circuit
- M5 Metro – Necip Fazil Station (20km / 29 minutes from circuit)
Buses depart on a continuous loop from 08:20 on October 9-11, returning from the circuit as late as 18:00 on Friday, 19:00 on Saturday and 21:00 on Sunday. Tickets cost 3.50 TL each way via the Istanbul Kart (you’ll need to buy this card for 7 TL and then add credit). More information about the service is available in Turkish on the circuit website.
Circuit parking at the Turkish Grand Prix
If you are driving yourself to the circuit, there are a limited number of car parking spaces at Istanbul Park. To park here, you must be in possession of a parking ticket, which you will have purchased alongside your grandstand or general admission ticket.
The two main parking areas are located adjacent to the back straight of the circuit and the other on the opposite side of the circuit, close to the general admission zones. There is a separate car park for those with Paddock Club tickets.
Unofficial parking areas will also available outside the premises – but spaces are likely to be limited. More information in Turkish (use Google Translate) about driving and parking at Istanbul Park.
Information to know before your visit
- In case of an emergency, call 112.
- Turkey operates on TRT (Turkey Time), which is GMT +3 hours.
- Among the list of prohibited items to take to the circuit is food and beverages – meaning you’ll have to purchase food and drink on site.
- Smoking and vaping is prohibited in any of the circuit’s grandstands and viewing areas. A full list of prohibited items can be found on the event website.
- Attendees under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Entry is free for children age 0-6 – but no additional seats are given to children under the age of 7.
- There are large LED screens located around the circuit. You can see the locations of these screens in the circuit map below.
Official Turkey travel website
2021 Turkish Grand Prix schedule
Unlike other European races in 2021, there will be no support races from Formula 2, Formula 3, Porsche Supercup or W Series. Instead, the Intercity Cup will race at Istanbul Park on the same weekend as F1. Races in the Silver, Gold and Platinum classes will take place over the three days. Here’s the full on-track schedule for the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix weekend:
Friday October 8
- 9:20-9:50: Intercity Silver Cup Practice
- 10:15-10:45: Intercity Gold Cup Practice
- 11:30-12:30: Formula 1 practice (FP1)
- 12:55-13:25: Intercity Platinum Cup practice
- 13:50-14:20: Intercity Silver Cup qualifying
- 15:00-16:00: Formula 1 practice (FP2)
- 16:45-17:15: Intercity Platinum Cup practice
Saturday October 9
- 09:25-09:55: Intercity Gold Cup qualifying
- 10:20-10:50: Intercity Platinum Cup qualifying
- 12:00-13:00: Formula 1 practice (FP3)
- 13:40-14:15: Intercity Silver Cup race
- 15:00-16:00: Formula 1 qualifying
- 16:40-17:20: Intercity Platinum Cup race
Sunday October 10
- 10:35-11:10: Intercity Gold Cup race
- 11:05-12:30: Intercity Platinum Cup race
- 13:20-13:50: Formula 1 Drivers’ Parade
- 15:00-17:00: Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix
Any questions about attending the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix? Leave a comment below.
Hi Nicky and f1destinations,
First of all thanks for this info. I believe you have the most up to date info for this weekend. I’ve been keeping an eye out for transportation services that might be available during the weekend and was hoping that anyone who sees this message and is staying around the Kadikoy area would want to travel together. This will be my first live f1 experience (and hopefully not last) and I’m looking forward to seeing the action unfold right before my eyes. Have a good week everyone!
Eddie
Hi Eddie, we have a few people interested in sharing rides – I’ll put everyone on an email to work it out (though better after that to create WhatsApp group I think)
Good idea. But try email first as my WhatsApp is with another number.
Hi Eddie, I’ve just added details on shuttle buses from three metro stops to the circuit to this post: Need to Know: 2021 Turkish Grand Prix
Wow thanks Andrew. You’ve been such a help. I feel like I can relax a little more.
Hi Eddie, thanks for all the information here
I just have a question about cameras and photography from the stands, is it allowed to bring cameras and some lenses there or they won’t allow to enter with it?
Thanks
You may have a problem in the stands if you have a long lens. I got told “no photo” today until I showed him my pass that I was working. Shouldn’t be a problem in the General Admission areas.
Hi Andrew. Can you add me to that email list? Me and my girlfriend plan to travel from Skopje, Macedonia to the race with car. Maybe we can find people interested in sharing the car ride :)
Will do!
Last and only Grand Prix intended was Austin 2012, I remember on Saturday the driver signed some autographs. Do you know if this is posible to happen here in Turkey?
Not going to happen at all this year at any race due to COVID-19 protocols. Sorry!
My hotel is asking for 120 euros for max 4 pax round trip per day. I need 2 more to share the price.
Hi Andrew!
A lot of information you provided already but I do have a question. My husband, my son and myself will attend the Turkish gp and I wanted to know if you could give us a tip on when would it be possible to catch the drivers for a quick selfie or maybe an autograph. My son is a big Ham fan :) and he is only 7 years so would be perfect if we could get an autograph. We bought gold tickets but we did it from the circuit website directly so..not a lot of information being received.
Thank a lot in advance!!
Hi Andree, I think it will be very difficult with the COVID-19 protocols. There’s not much mixing between the drivers and the fans right now. Honestly, I think it will be close to impossible to meet drivers at the track. Probably better chance at the hotels where they are staying – but I really don’t know which ones. Sorry
There is a f1 Turkish YouTuber who suggested me using a taxi app called BiTaksi, and according to this one from city center to the race track is around 200 Liras, that’s like 25$. I think I’ll try that on the Friday and see how it goes.
Hi Andrew,
Do you know of any options to listen to live commentary on radio while at the track? Thanks.
Eddie
Not sure about radio, but the F1 app (paid version) has live commentary
Use bbc web page.
Hi Nicky. My name is Nur and I’m from Turkey. I just read this post and noticed that you wrote that Istanbul is the capital city of Turkey, I’m afraid that’s not true because Ankara is our capital city. I just wanted to say that. Thanks for the post and I hope we’ll see you again in next year’s GP!
Thanks for spotting this error! I’ve updated the post. I was here for the race and it was great, even if the weather wasn’t great. Greetings from Istanbul!