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Former Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa toured Istanbul's historic sites and met fans on Saturday, days before marking the 20th anniversary of his first F1 victory with a test drive at Istanbul Park, the Formula 1 circuit on the city's Asian side.
Massa visited the Basilica Cistern, a sixth-century underground water reservoir in Istanbul's Historic Peninsula, before touring the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and Sultanahmet Square, the city's historic core on the European side.
The Brazilian, hosted by the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, also attended an "F1 Movie Night" event at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) open-air venue in Taksim.
Massa won three consecutive races for Ferrari at Istanbul Park between 2006 and 2008, a record that earned him the nickname "King of Istanbul." Three of his 11 career F1 victories came at the circuit.
"I love Türkiye, I love Istanbul. I am very happy to be back after so long.
Istanbul is a very special city for me. I experienced some of the best moments of my life and career here," Massa said, describing Istanbul Park as a track that combines high and low-speed corners with elevation changes, adding that its eighth corner subjects drivers to significant G-forces.
The Istanbul Grand Prix is set to rejoin the Formula 1 calendar for a five-year run starting October 1-3, 2027. Asked about the race's return, Massa said Istanbul Park suits drivers such as Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton and predicted strong local interest in the event.
Massa said his record of three consecutive wins at the circuit could eventually be broken, naming Kimi Antonelli, Max Verstappen and Norris as drivers capable of doing so.
Asked which team he would choose if he returned to F1, Massa pointed to Mercedes' current competitiveness but said Ferrari remained his personal preference, calling the team "family."
Massa also reiterated his position that his 2008 F1 championship was lost due to the "Crashgate" scandal. Massa has pursued legal action against motorsport's governing body FIA, commercial rights holder FOM and former F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone over the outcome of that season; the case remains ongoing.
He also spoke about racing alongside seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher at Ferrari, describing him as a mentor who became "like family."
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