Hermann Tilke's design for Istanbul Park deliberately embraced the anti-clockwise direction, which was uncommon for circuits of the era. The layout covers over 2.2 million square meters and runs across four different ground levels, with a start-finish straight exceeding 650 meters. There are 14 corners in total, the tightest with a radius of just 15 meters.
The anti-clockwise direction means drivers experience sustained lateral loading on the opposite side from most circuits, particularly through Turn 8. This multi-apex left-hander — nicknamed "Diabolica" in reference to Monza's Curva Parabolica — became the circuit's defining feature and one of the most discussed corners in early-21st-century Formula One. The corner carries four distinct apex points, delivering prolonged g-force loading that contributes significantly to the circuit's reputation for rapid tyre wear. Several of Hermann Tilke's subsequent designs, including Turns 17–18 at the Circuit of the Americas and Turn 3 at the Sochi Autodrom, drew conceptual influence from Istanbul Turn 8.
Two additional areas of the circuit attracted notable commentary. Turn 1, a sharp downhill left-hander at the end of the front straight, was nicknamed the "Turkish Corkscrew" for its resemblance to the famous Corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, and featured prominently in incidents at both the 2006 F1 and MotoGP rounds. An uphill kink on the back straight, described as similar in character to Eau Rouge at Spa-Francorchamps, was referred to as "Faux Rouge."
The first Formula One Turkish Grand Prix was held at Istanbul Park in 2005. The circuit hosted nine Grands Prix through the 2011 season before a financial disagreement led to the event being dropped from the calendar. During this period Felipe Massa won three of the nine races held there, more than any other driver. Lewis Hamilton won twice; Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button, Kimi Räikkönen, and Valtteri Bottas each won one race.
The circuit returned to the Formula One calendar for the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix, following a nine-year absence, and hosted the race again in 2021 as a replacement for the cancelled Singapore Grand Prix. The Turkish Grand Prix is scheduled to return to Istanbul Park from 2027.
Bernie Ecclestone, who held managing rights to the circuit between 2007 and 2011, described Istanbul Park as "the best race track in the world."
MotoGP raced at Istanbul Park for three consecutive years from 2005 to 2007. Marco Melandri won in both 2005 and 2006; Casey Stoner took victory in 2007. The series did not return after Ecclestone's management took over the venue in 2007 and it was dropped from the MotoGP calendar.
The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters visited in 2005. The World Touring Car Championship held races at the circuit in 2005 and 2006. The FIA World Rallycross Championship organized events at Istanbul Park in 2014–2015 and again in 2024–2025, using an area to the outside of Turns 12–14. The Superbike World Championship raced at the circuit in 2013.
Not all assessments of Istanbul Park were positive. Jenson Button noted after qualifying for one Turkish Grand Prix that the track was becoming bumpier over the race weekend, particularly through Turn 8. Jarno Trulli offered a characteristically measured appraisal, suggesting that the circuit was relatively straightforward to learn and that strong performance was attributable more to car quality than driver skill — a contrast to the praise offered by others for the circuit's technical demands.
The circuit is situated near Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, surrounded by forests and fields. It can accommodate approximately 125,000 spectators, with a main grandstand seating 25,000 and additional natural and temporary stands. The paddock features two-level structures with team operations at ground level and hospitality on the upper floor, supplemented by two seven-story VIP towers at either end.
The official lap record for the circuit is 1:24.770, set by Juan Pablo Montoya during the 2005 Turkish Grand Prix. The unofficial all-time fastest lap is 1:22.868, set by Lewis Hamilton in qualifying for the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix.