Istanbul Circuit: Biker Marco Melandri knows the course

Monday, 12 September 2022 13:14
Written by Portal Editor

Repeated discussions about the use of the Istanbul Circuit by Formula 1 between the Turkish government as the guarantor and organizer Bernie Ecclestone have not exactly contributed to the positive publicity of the circuit in recent months.

So it is gratifying for motorsport fans in Turkey that at least one race of the Superbike World Championship will take place in Turkey, which will also be held on September 15th as the debut race on the spectacular Formula 1 racetrack in Istanbul. Most pilots from the Superbike series are not familiar with this route.

Istanbul Park - MotoGP and DTM had already stopped here

At the start of Formula 1 in 2005, we already reported on the layout of the 5,340 meter long race track, which was designed by the German architect Hermann Tilke. With the eight left-hand and six right-hand bends, which provide an excellent view for the spectators, it is not just the pure engine power of the cars that counts on the "Istanbul Park Circuit". Driving skills are an absolute prerequisite for good results here, because the longest straight is just 720 meters. Hardly any advertising for the events and the associated lack of interest among the population in the years 2005 to 2007 are the main reasons why the Formula 1 retinue left Turkey again. MotoGP and DTM had already stopped here.
From that time, the circuit is of course still well known to some pilots who are now active in the Superbike series. BMW star Marco Melandri is definitely one of them, as he won the 2005 and 2006 MotoGP races at this track and finished 7th in 2007. He was able to defeat world stars Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner here.

The following riders also know the Istanbul Circuit from their time in MotoGP:

Carlos Checa (E/Ducati)
2005 - MotoGP, 5th place
2006 - MotoGP, 15th place
2007 - MotoGP, 12th place
Sylvain Guintoli (F/Aprilia)
2005 - 250cc, 9th place
2006 - 250cc, 6th place
2007 - MotoGP, 15th place
Jules Cluzel (F/Suzuki)
2005 - 125cc, place 22
2006 - 250cc, 16th place
2007 - 250cc, retired

Chaz Davies (UK/BMW)
2005 - 250cc, 10th place
2006 - 250cc, retired

German pilot Max Neukirchner as a driver

From a German point of view, the founding of the new team of Mario Rubatto in the Superbike series, which was able to win the German pilot Max Neukirchner as a driver, is also very gratifying. Things hadn't gone particularly well for the Stollberger Neukirchner in recent years in Moto 2, so he first wanted to examine other options before making a decision to continue his career. With the signing of the contract for the Rubatto Team and thus for a Ducati Panigale 1199, competitiveness against the other teams also seems possible, after all the Superbikes were the class in which Max Neukirchner was able to celebrate his greatest successes.