Turkish GP in jeopardy after 2010
The 2010 Turkish Grand Prix could be the final one in Istanbul after Bernie Ecclestone doubled the price of the contract to keep the race after next year, according to local media
The Turkish media reports that Ecclestone would get $26 million from the Turkish as of 2011, nearly twice as much as with the current deal.
Ecclestone's new deal looks set to put an end to the Istanbul race, which was already struggling to attract fans.
Official figures for this year's event said just 36,000 three-day tickets were sold for the circuit with a capacity for 130,000 fans.
The Hurriyet Daily News reports that Ecclestone wrote to Faruk Nafiz Ozak, the Turkish state minister responsible for sporting events, to lay out the conditions of the new contract, including the increased fee.
Turkish officials said the fee requested was not fitting for a country like Turkey.
"In countries such as France and Germany, the Formula One CEO is requesting something between $1.5 million and $4 million," an official told the newspaper.
The report said officials will decide on the deal by the end of the month.
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Martin: Marquez can fight for MotoGP victories from start of season
2021 IndyCar champion Palou joins McLaren as F1 reserve driver
The story of the 2011 Italian Grand Prix
IndyCar Long Beach: O’Ward leads Power in opening practice
Latvala: Neuville, Evans tied for WRC Croatia lead "something special"
WEC Imola: Ferrari remains on top in FP2 as Fuoco beats Porsche
WRC Croatia: Neuville, Evans tied for the lead after eight stages
The short-term pain that hides a very real Williams improvement
How a Shanghai to Sheffield journey paved the way for China’s F1 hero
Why F1 2026 worst case fears could be key to new rules success
How the F1 driver market situation sits for each team with 2025 openings
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments