28.04.2026 16:00
As Istanbul returns to the Formula 1 calendar with a 5-year deal, unexpected moments during promotional shoots went viral worldwide. Images of a street cat appearing on stage during Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda's tour of Istanbul and greeting the vehicle also brought comments calling it an "Istanbul classic."
Intercity Istanbul Park, which has not been on the Formula 1 calendar since 2021, will host races again between 2027 and 2032 under a new agreement. This development, creating great excitement in the world of motorsports, has received widespread coverage in the international press.
TSUNODA TOOK A PROMOTIONAL TOUR ON ISTANBUL STREETS
Following the agreement, Oracle Red Bull Racing driver Yuki Tsunoda came to Istanbul for a special promotional shoot. The shoot, held at iconic city landmarks such as Haydarpaşa Port, the Maiden's Tower, and the historical peninsula, brought Istanbul's cultural fabric together with F1.
ISTANBUL CAT ALMOST GREETED THE CAR
During the shoot around Sultanahmet and Galata, the team waiting for the engine to be started encountered an interesting surprise. A stray cat approached one of the world's fastest cars and began to inspect it. The cat, stopping in front of the car and almost "greeting" it, quickly became the focal point of the shoot.
WENT VIRAL WORLDWIDE: THE TRUE OWNER OF THE CITY
After the moments were shared, the video reached millions of views worldwide. International sports accounts shared the footage with captions like "An ordinary day in Istanbul" and "The cat best prepared for the new season." Foreign users highlighted Istanbul's bond with its cats, commenting, "The real owner of the city has given its approval" and "A true Istanbul classic."