Car launch events have taken up most of the time of F1 teams over the past few days.
However, terrible news has emerged from Turkey, where the destruction caused by an earthquake has already taken the life of almost 1500 people, with many reportedly injured.
It is in times such as these that humanity stands together and the F1 community united in sending out messages of support to those affected.
Turkey has, of course, got a special place in the F1 calendar. The Turkish Grand Prix was famously used for the sport’s return following the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is also the same circuit that saw Lewis Hamilton win his tied world record seventh F1 championship, sharing the feat with Michael Schumacher.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali was visibly disturbed by events that transpired in Turkey, as was FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Stefano Domenicali
— F1 Media (@F1Media) February 6, 2023
Turkey has a very special place in the heart of F1 with so many incredible people. The tragedy that has taken place there has shocked us all and we pray for the victims and the people of Turkey.
Our thoughts are with the victims of the terrible earthquake in Turkey and Syria, with their families and all our friends in the region. Our hearts go out to them.
— Mohammed Ben Sulayem (@Ben_Sulayem) February 6, 2023
F1 driver Esteban Ocon also took to Twitter to express his sadness.
🇹🇷🙏🏼
— Esteban Ocon (@OconEsteban) February 6, 2023
Rescue operations are still ongoing in the country and the death toll is expected to rise owing to the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that had its epicentre near the Kahramanmaras and Gaziantep area.
While fans were largely voicing their support for the victims of this natural disaster, some thought it would be a good time to also crack a joke at the FIA president’s expense.
No political statements, Ben https://t.co/YiGJFKxroI
— Phil (@LhillPee61) February 6, 2023
At Sport It Now, we send our condolences to all families and hope for a speedy recovery to all injured.