Turkey could disappear from the Formula One calendar after 2011 due to competition from other potential venues, the head of the Istanbul circuit said on Sunday.

"We are afraid that 2011 may be the last year of the staging of F1 in Istanbul," Istanbul circuit general director Can Guclu said. "There is serious competition from such countries as South Africa, Russia, Bulgaria and South Korea. If we want the Turkish Grand Prix to stay on the calendar, we need to start working immediately. Or else, we cannot just begin negotiating for the race in the last year of the contract." South Korea is due to make its debut next year with India pencilled in for 2011.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily Feburary 10,2009)