New Delhi, August 19, 2005: ESPN Star Sports, Asia’s leading broadcaster, will telecast live and exclusive the first ever Turkish Grand Prix, live & exclusive from Istanbul. The F1 action continues on ESPN Star Sports with the broadcaster acquiring the telecast rights of all F1 races for India for another 5 years.

With F1 visiting a new circuit, there is even greater frisson of excitement and a great deal of expectation riding on the virgin F1 track at Istanbul. Few teams have arrived in Istanbul a little earlier to get a feel of the unexplored track to their advantage. The 5.340 km circuit is unusual in running anti-clockwise, like Imola and Interlagos. It features six right-handers and eight left-handers and is particularly notable for its gradients. The track design makes for some fast & exciting racing with the viewers in for a high-speed, adrenaline-pumping race.

The teams and drivers will intend not to lose focus after a three-week break from racing. Michael Schumacher, the reigning champion, is hoping to ride on his skill & experience to stand himself in good stead in Turkey. Championship leader Fernando Alonso, a self proclaimed Istanbul fan, expects his Renault to manoeuvre him to the top of the podium at the curvilinear track. Raikonnen (61 Pts) and McLaren (105 pts), keenly following Alonso (87 pts) and Renault (117 pts), are hopeful of reducing the margin with their Championship hopes still alive in the 14th race of the season.

With all the off race transfers and negotiations starting for the next season, F1 is entering its last phase of races of the 2005 season. Renault may seem to be running away with the Drivers’ Championship, but McLaren believes it’s still a force to challenge Renault. Will Turkey go their way?

Catch all the action of the Turkish grand Prix from Istanbul live and exclusive only on Star Sports on 21st August 2005, 1715 onwards.

Schedule of Turkish Grand Prix, Istanbul

For further information, contact:

ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd. Tel: 011-5154 4444 – 51

Sameer Bajaj, Manager - Corporate Communications. Email: sameerb@espnstar.co.in

Or, Siddharth Kumar, IPAN. Tel: 011-52492100. Email: skumar@ipan.com

For the latest schedules and programme information visit www.espnstar.com