Economic crisis hits Turkish GP’s income for this year
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Daily News with wires
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 23, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - Ticket sales for the Formula 1 ING Turkish Grand Prix have been affected by the economic crisis, the IstanbulPark circuit general manager has said at a press conference.
The ING Turkish GP will be held for the fifth time on from June 5-7 this year, and organization authorities held a press conference on the event.
Can Güçlü, general manager of the IstanbulPark circuit, said that this was a hard year for everyone, and so it was too for Formula 1 in Turkey.
"Last year, we had 40,000 spectators for just Sunday, and 100,000 people were there throughout the weekend," said Güçlü. "This year there is a decrease in corporates buying tickets, but the number of individual ticket buyers is better than last year."
"We may match last year's spectator figures, but the tickets that corporates bought were the higher-priced ones, so we may talk about a drop in total income," he added.
Güçlü also said that about 15,000 foreign spectators were expected in Istanbul to watch the grand prix.
Responding to rumors that the ING Turkish GP would be moved to another location, Güçlü said there was still three years on the IstanbulPark deal.
"There is a deal that will continue until 2011. We are already making plans for that year," he said. "There are still talks about whether this race will continue [to be held in Istanbul] or not."
Anadolu Health Center, or ASM, declared its position as the health sponsor for the event. The institution will set up a health center at the IstanbulPark to serve drivers, engineers and race consultants.
"There may be serious accidents in the Formula 1," Turkish Motorsports Federation, or TOSFED, Vice Chairman Faruk Süren said. "So the health plan is one of the most important parts of it."
Meanwhile, in Thursday's free practice ahead of Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix, world championship leader Jenson Button wound up fourth, one place behind his Brawn teammate Brazilian veteran Rubens Barrichello, Agence France-Presse reported.
Button said that he is worried about the prospects of a fierce title battle with Sebastian Vettel and the Red Bull team as the Formula One season unfolds this year.
Can Güçlü, general manager of the IstanbulPark circuit, said that this was a hard year for everyone, and so it was too for Formula 1 in Turkey.
"Last year, we had 40,000 spectators for just Sunday, and 100,000 people were there throughout the weekend," said Güçlü. "This year there is a decrease in corporates buying tickets, but the number of individual ticket buyers is better than last year."
"We may match last year's spectator figures, but the tickets that corporates bought were the higher-priced ones, so we may talk about a drop in total income," he added.
Güçlü also said that about 15,000 foreign spectators were expected in Istanbul to watch the grand prix.
Responding to rumors that the ING Turkish GP would be moved to another location, Güçlü said there was still three years on the IstanbulPark deal.
"There is a deal that will continue until 2011. We are already making plans for that year," he said. "There are still talks about whether this race will continue [to be held in Istanbul] or not."
Anadolu Health Center, or ASM, declared its position as the health sponsor for the event. The institution will set up a health center at the IstanbulPark to serve drivers, engineers and race consultants.
"There may be serious accidents in the Formula 1," Turkish Motorsports Federation, or TOSFED, Vice Chairman Faruk Süren said. "So the health plan is one of the most important parts of it."
Meanwhile, in Thursday's free practice ahead of Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix, world championship leader Jenson Button wound up fourth, one place behind his Brawn teammate Brazilian veteran Rubens Barrichello, Agence France-Presse reported.
Button said that he is worried about the prospects of a fierce title battle with Sebastian Vettel and the Red Bull team as the Formula One season unfolds this year.