///////////////////// CASE STORY
Formula 1 Istanbul GP
Injected speed, style, and a dash of Turkish flair…
From the trophy to the merchandise and some magical eights, here’s how the last Istanbul Grand Prix came together behind the scenes.
///////////////////// CASE STORY
Formula 1 Istanbul GP
Injected speed, style, and a dash of Turkish flair…
From the trophy to the merchandise and some magical eights, here’s how the last Istanbul Grand Prix came together behind the scenes.
Valtteri Bottas – IMAGE FROM INTERCITY, ORIGINAL SOURCE UNKNOWN.
…somewhere around March 2020.
Projects were collapsing, brands were freezing budgets, and everyone was holding their breath, waiting for things to go back to “normal.” I was scrolling through the news, part of my morning routine, reading something about Formula 1 Istanbul canceled due to COVID. The world was already shut down, panic everywhere. I took a sip of my coffee, skipped to Kanye West news. Fast cars didn’t matter to me.
…a year passed.
Things were getting back to normal—or at least as normal as you could get with masks still everywhere.
Then, out of nowhere, my phone rang. Yagmur, from Isobar, a friend from my agency days. Straight to the point:
“Can you design the Formula 1 trophy?” Then comes the catch; “we have two days for the concept presentation”.
I said yes. We had the briefing meeting, tried to sound like I was in full control.
MAGIC 8 T-SHIRT – PHOTOGRAPHY BY INTERCITY PARK
I realized that I had a basic problem; I knew nothing about Formula 1. Just a headline from last year, nothing about the fancy technical terms they were throwing around or the names they kept mentioning. Before even touching a sketchpad, I dove into research—past trophies, iconic designs, what made a winner’s prize legendary.
The process —of course— was nothing like anything I had done before. I started from the ground up—literally. The trophy had to “rise” from something meaningful.
The base took inspiration from Seljuk culture, a symbol of Anatolia’s deep history. The Seljukian Star, found in countless historical architectures and art pieces, became the foundation. It wasn’t just a design choice; it was a statement. A perfect blend of artistry, heritage, and storytelling.
The event already had its main concept—“The Magic 8.” A nod to Turn 8, the most famous corner of the track. Naturally, I had to find a way to weave this into the trophy.
I went through lots of drafts, testing ways to merge the 8 with a design that already embodied speed and motion. Rising from Anatolian roots and culture, reaching toward the future—the “Infinity 8” was born. A continuous flow, connected seamlessly to the Turkish star at the top.
INITIAL RENDERS
With the concept locked in, it was time to take it into 3D. This is where Can Berker Birsen and his team at “Reach and Touch” came in. They translated the design into a precise 3D model, refining every curve and detail to match the vision.
Beyond that, Can also designed the pedestal, shaping its final form to complement the trophy. With the digital blueprint ready, the next step was turning it into reality.
Aslan Ruso, a master craftsman known for his handcrafted trophies, took over the production. With years of experience, he shaped every detail by hand, ensuring the final piece had the precision and prestige it deserved.
Aslan called me so often, I thought we should start a podcast. “How do you want this curve?” “What finish are we going with?” He walked me through every detail of the production, explaining things I barely understood.
I did my best to sound like I was in control—but let’s be honest, he was.
FIRST PROTOTYPES
FINAL TROPHIES, DELIVERED. W OZGUR KARACAK
When the trophy was finally revealed, it blew up. Fans loved it—tweets started rolling in, people were analyzing every detail. “Best F1 trophy in years,” some said. Others were just happy it wasn’t another boring cup. The design, the story behind it—it all clicked.
FROM MERCEDES TEAM, INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT
The trophy set the tone, but the Magic 8 theme had to live beyond the podium. So, I designed everything; t-shirts, hats, mugs, all carrying the same energy. Turn 8 wasn’t just a corner on the track anymore; it became the symbol of the event.
From the paddock to the grandstands, fans weren’t just there to watch—they were wrapped in the identity of the race.
I also led the social media direction with Isobar team, keeping it bold and dynamic—all within Formula 1’s guidelines. A balance between creativity and structure, bringing the Magic 8 theme to life online.
Looking back, it all started with a news article I didn’t care about. A year later, I had designed the trophy, the merchandise, and somehow left my mark on Formula 1 history.
What was just another race became my project. And while the cars sped around Turn 8, I knew—a part of me was on that podium too.
Not actually related…
As the Sr. Art Director of Dinahmoe, one of the most awarded production companies in the world; re-brading, visual identity, website and more…
My personal website. “Once, I burned my art diploma in an art gallery in front of the art professors. …and they called it performance art.”
“Design is the art of convincing the universe it needs more chairs shaped like lemons.”
Footer.
Cankat Oguz Sr. Art Director & Creative
cankat[at]coguz.com