Ben Sulayem will therefore be part of the group of three stewards officiating at the Istanbul Otodrom. According to the same announcement, this will not be a one-off for the FIA official, as he'll also take on the steward responsibilities later this year, at the Hungaroring.
“This is a new responsibility and something that cannot be taken lightly,” said Ben Sulayem. referring at the new role he's about to take this weekend.
It's interesting he'd mention this, as his latest outing in a Formula One related event – Renault's roadshow in Dubai – turned out “unexpectedly” bad. While looking to do a demonstration lap in the Renault R28 on the Dubai Autodrome, Ben Sulayem hardly started the car that he already crashed it into the concrete barriers alongside the circuit's main straight. No one was hurt in the incident.
In addition to his naming as official steward of the Turkish Grand Prix, the FIA also announced some slight modifications to the Istanbul Otodrom's track, as followed:
“The back of the apex kerbs at turns 9 and 12 have been graded to prevent a car from launching. Speed bumps, similar to turn 2 in Barcelona, have been installed behind the apex of turn 10. Additional conveyor belts have been added mid way through tyre barriers at turns 1, 7, 9 and 12,” said the FIA release.
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