F1 drivers Pierre Gasly & Alex Albon explore Istanbul

F1 drivers Pierre Gasly from Scuderia AlphaTauri and Alex Albon from Aston Martin Red Bull Racing took to the streets of the transcontinental city of Istanbul in Turkey with a driving show through the city and on the Martyrs Bridge on July 15. On this occasion, the long-awaited return of Formula 1 to the country was celebrated with the DHL Formula 1 Grand Prix on Sunday and the debut of the premium fashion brand AlphaTauri.

Located on the Bosporus, which separates Europe and Asia, Istanbul is one of the few cities on two continents and has played a prominent role on the route between East and West for centuries. Albon and Gasly drove two F1 cars onto the 1,560 m long suspension bridge that crosses the strait and were the first drivers in history to pit stop and donuts at the same time in a city on two continents.

Alex Albon speeds past the Sultan Ahmed Mosque

© Nuri Yilmazer / Red Bull Content Pool

Pierre Gasly enjoys the scenic route

© Nuri Yilmazer / Red Bull Content Pool

Alex Albon

© Nuri Yilmazer / Red Bull Content Pool

Pierre Gasly brings it to the streets

© Nuri Yilmazer / Red Bull Content Pool

Modern design meets ancient architecture in Istanbul

© Nuri Yilmazer / Red Bull Content Pool

Pierre Gasly

© Nuri Yilmazer / Red Bull Content Pool

Fashion has always had a place in Formula 1

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Reach top speed

© Nuri Yilmazer / Red Bull Content Pool

Alex Albon enjoys the sweet sound of his powerful engine

© Nuri Yilmazer / Red Bull Content Pool

Presentation of the new premium fashion brand AlphaTauri

© Nuri Yilmazer / Red Bull Content Pool

Closing the gap

© Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

This weekend AlphaTauri and his racing team Scuderia AlphaTauri will appear in Turkey for the first time. In its six Grand Prix appearances in Turkey so far (2006-2011), the team, now named after Red Bull’s premium fashion brand, started under the former name of Scuderia Toro Rosso.

With the return of the fan-favorite Grand Prix, AlphaTauri has just announced its debut in Istanbul, where the collection is now available in selected Vakkorama stores.

With this entry into the Turkish market, the AlphaTauri collection is now available in almost 90 countries worldwide. Ahmet Mercan, General Manager of AlphaTauri, said: “The promotion of our global business and the launch of AlphaTauri in Turkey are creating very positive momentum for the entire global fashion industry, even in such difficult times.”

Scuderia AlphaTauri aims to build on a strong 2020 season, highlighted by a Gasly race win at Monza in September. It was the first Formula 1 victory for the French and the first for his team in AlphaTauri colors and a memorable moment for the premium fashion brand on their first foray into the sport.

Asia in one direction, Europe in the other.

© Nuri Yilmazer / Red Bull Content Pool

After his experience on the streets of Istanbul, Gasly said, “Every time you have the opportunity to drive a Formula 1 car at an iconic landmark is something special. It was amazing to drive on the Bosphorus Bridge and think that you would be crossing the border of two continents in no time – just amazing! We’re celebrating the return of Formula 1 in Turkey and it’s nice to know that this coincides with the launch of the AlphaTauri team and fashion label. Personally, I really like AlphaTauri clothing and it’s a privilege to wear their colors around the world. “

For Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, the 300th Grand Prix race in Turkey is an important anniversary for the team. And Albon hopes to build on a recent breakthrough when he became the first Thai driver to stand on an F1 podium with third place in the Tuscan Grand Prix. The team hopes to build on the one win and five podiums previously achieved in Turkey.

Another day in the office

© Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

Albon said: “The view from the Bosphorus Bridge is amazing and seeing it all from the cockpit of an F1 car was pretty awesome. I think it was the best possible way to make some noise around the start. AlphaTauri is still young, but has great ambitions and this event definitely shows that. “