It was the fourteenth race of the 2005 FIA Formula One World Championship and the inaugural Turkish Grand Prix.

The bottom six teams in the 2004 Constructors' Championship were entitled to run a third car in free practice on Friday.

Felipe Massa lost the front wing and bargeboard from his Sauber in a first-corner collision with the Williams of former teammate Nick Heidfeld.

Juan Pablo Montoya was running second on the penultimate lap when he clashed with the Jordan of Tiago Monteiro, damaging his diffuser.

On the next lap Montoya ran straight ahead at Turn 8, allowing Fernando Alonso to pass him.