Toprak Razgatlioglu is not just a rising star in WorldSBK; he is now a driving force behind bringing MotoGP back to his homeland, Turkey. Speaking ahead of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, the 29-year-old revealed he is personally involved in efforts to return the premier motorcycle racing series to Istanbul Park.
"Istanbul Park is ready to race now," he said with hope in his voice. "For next year, we don't have any chance to put it on the calendar. But now we are talking about 2028. Because we have a possibility to bring back MotoGP there."
His comments come shortly after April's announcement that Turkey will host a Formula 1 Grand Prix again from 2027. The five-year F1 deal paves the way for MotoGP to follow. "Why not? We are still working for this," added Razgatlioglu.
Historically, Turkey hosted three MotoGP rounds from 2005 to 2007. Marco Melandri won the first two editions, before Casey Stoner took victory in 2007. Now, with Razgatlioglu's soaring popularity, the potential crowd pull is expected to be far greater. Moreover, Istanbul Park's proximity to a major metropolitan area aligns perfectly with MotoGP's ongoing push to bring races closer to urban fans.
However, there is a burden on Razgatlioglu's shoulders. If MotoGP does return, he knows he will be expected to deliver a special result in front of his home crowd. "If MotoGP comes back to Istanbul Park, I need to show some special result," he admitted with a smile. "This is the biggest problem, you know? Too much pressure for me!"
His remarks also reflect MotoGP's broader trend of exploring new circuits in regions with large fan bases. Turkey, with its young population and high enthusiasm, is a potential market. Support from the government and local promoters is reportedly growing stronger.
If it materialises, the 2028 Turkish MotoGP will be more than just a race; it will be a stage for Razgatlioglu to etch his name in history. The pressure is immense, but the spotlight only makes the prospect of racing at Istanbul Park even more compelling.
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