The turn eight is the key to the success of the Turkish Grand Prix
As you know, races are not won on straight lines, but in corners. And it is in the ability to take corners as quickly as possible that the true skill of the driver lies.
Most famous corners have a long history, some even older than Formula 1. But some have appeared fairly recently. The most popular of them was the 8th corner of the Istanbul Park circuit, which doesn’t have a name yet. It is a corner with variable curvature, consisting of four distinct left turns that blend imperceptibly into each other. This atypical section can be taken flat out, with a minimum speed of 250 km/h. It is crucial to navigate the first two sections of the corner correctly, as it will determine the speed on the straight line. Here, you can gain or lose up to half a second on each lap.
In terms of driving, Istanbul Park is one of the best tracks on the championship calendar, but last year, due to weather conditions, bad tires, and new asphalt, this quality was put on the backburner. This time, if the weather doesn’t disappoint us, we will see how modern Formula 1 cars tackle the eighth turn at full speed.
The record holder for wins on this track is Felipe Massa, who has won here three times. The Brazilian has developed a sort of special relationship with the Turkish circuit. Perhaps because here, as in his homeland, drivers follow the track in the wrong direction – counterclockwise. Or maybe Massa has managed to figure out how to navigate the famous eighth turn.
