Turkish GP organisation has already sold 40,000 tickets in six hours

The organisation of the Turkish Grand Prix reports that 40,000 tickets have already been sold after six hours since the start of the sale. Formula 1 returns to Istanbul Park after nine years of absence.

Istanbul Park is one of the later added circuits to the calendar because of the corona virus. Vural Ak, chairman of promoter Intercity, said at a press conference last month that they were hoping for 100,000 spectators a day. That is just under half of the full capacity of the circuit.

Intercity announced today that 40,000 tickets have already been sold in the first six hours of ticket sales. "We were planning to fill the full capacity, 220,000 seats, under normal circumstances but it’s not possible with COVID-19", said Ak to Motorsport.com.

Ak believes in the protocols that will be taken during the Grand Prix weekend. "We have to be prepared for anything," he said. "If the disease becomes worse than today, then the race can be done without spectators." For the time being, around 100,000 spectators can watch the race when certain sections of stands are closed and social distance rules are enforced.