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How Turkey was established as Tilke's F1 gold standard

When the Istanbul Park circuit first joined the Formula 1 calendar in 2005, it quickly won over the drivers. Reflecting 15 years later as it prepares for its F1 return, that same enthusiasm is unchanged

He's one of the most influential Formula 1 figures of the past two decades. But considering his relatively low profile, track design supremo Hermann Tilke is also one of its more divisive. While hardly to blame for all of F1's ills, 'Tilkedrome' has become a byword for modern circuits lacking in soul and frequently producing dull races.

Tilke does have a few uninspiring duds in his back catalogue - Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi and Sochi are perhaps the pick of the bunch - but to focus wholly on these wouldn't do justice to his contribution. Take the Istanbul Park track, which is making its welcome return to the F1 calendar this weekend for the first time since 2011. Back in 2005, when Turkey first joined the calendar, it made an instant impression with drivers and engineers alike, and quickly became a template for all modern F1 venues to follow.

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