01.08.2025 · Isaac Tutumlu-Lopez
Interview & Edit by Hasan Gündogan
At various GT World Challenge circuits, an eye-catching McLaren bursts into view with its green, white, yellow, and red flag flowing across a striking Kurdish‑inspired livery. It slices through the track without hesitation, overtaking rivals who catch only a fleeting glimpse of the radiant Kurdish sun streaking past.
The car belongs to Isaac Tutumlu‑Lopez, a Barcelona‑born racing driver with deep Kurdish roots, who blends Catalan and Kurdish cultures while proudly competing under the Kurdish flag. Yet as it speeds by, many spectators may not recognize the meaning behind its colors and symbols - a representation of a nation without a state, a people whose identity is too often overlooked. In motorsport, flags usually mark nationality.
For Isaac Tutumlu‑Lopez, they mark identity. We spoke with Isaac about his upbringing in Catalunya, his journey into professional racing, and the many iconic Kurdish designs he carries with pride on his cars.
Hasan Gündogan: How would you describe your youth in Catalunya?
Isaac Tutumlu-Lopez: I was born in Barcelona, and my mother is also from here, so I can truly say that not only half of my blood but also my childhood and my soul belong to this city. For me, Barcelona is the most beautiful city in the world. At the same time, I feel just as much Kurdish as I do Catalan. However, I feel deeply connected to Barcelona - I was born and raised here, and this is where I was shaped and educated. It’s a place that will always feel like home
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HG: Since in particular Barcelona is a place mostly known in the sports world for football and maybe secondly the F1 circuit, how did your interest in Grand Touring racing begin?
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ITL: I was just a baby when my mother took me, along with my grandparents, to a go-kart track. I was only two years old at the time, there just to watch the karts race around. But the owner mistakenly thought I was older and suggested, “Let the kid try one of the kids’ go-karts.” The moment I got behind the wheel, it felt completely natural - as if I had an instinct for it. From that day on, I knew that my dream was to become a professional racing driver.
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> For me, it's not just about racing - it’s about carrying the hopes of 50 million Kurds around the world, a nation that has long been denied statehood and visibility. For decades, Kurdish athletes, artists, and talents had no choice but to perform under other flags, their roots unacknowledged. <
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HG: Did you feel sort of between two worlds being of Kurdish descent in Spain or was it always compatible in a way?
ITL: It has always been compatible for me, but I have to say I feel especially proud of being Kurdish - even more than being Spanish or Catalan. That’s probably because I had the unique opportunity to officially represent Kurdistan and to be the first ever to do so in motorsports. For me, it's not just about racing - it’s about carrying the hopes of 50 million Kurds around the world, a nation that has long been denied statehood and visibility.
For decades, Kurdish athletes, artists, and talents had no choice but to perform under other flags, their roots unacknowledged. That I can now race with the Kurdish flag, visibly and officially, is a historic shift, and one I take on with deep responsibility and honor.
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> In Spain, there is still a lack of awareness about Kurdistan and its rich culture.
I’m probably one of the few reasons people here even know about Kurdistan, thanks to my work representing it in racing <
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HG: I believe that especially in the last few years Kurdish stories and realities are getting more visibility in Germany - due to a lot of musicians, athletes & influencers pushing their personal narratives in mainstream media. How do you feel about that in Spain currently?
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ITL: In Spain, there is still a lack of awareness about Kurdistan and its rich culture. I’m probably one of the few reasons people here even know about Kurdistan, thanks to my work representing it in racing. In contrast, Germany has a large Kurdish community due to many years of immigration, so Kurdish culture is much more present and recognized there than it is in Spain.
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HG: But back to your racing - when did you start to think about making this your job and not just a passion / hobby?
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ITL: That was back in 2009, when I competed in my first race in the Spanish GT Championship, driving a Ferrari 430 GT2. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to become a professional racing driver and dedicate my life to it. The journey has been incredibly challenging - it takes so many different factors to succeed in this sport. But the most important thing is to never give up and to keep pushing forward, no matter how many obstacles you encounter along the way.
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HG: We´re going to show some of the iconic liveries of your cars, which have a lot of insanely well placed Kurdistan flags and symbolism on them. When did you start to incorporate them?
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ITL: The first time we placed the Kurdistan flag on a racing car was in 2012, with the Barzani Racing Team, when we competed in the World Endurance Championship. Since then, I have always proudly carried the flag — on the car designs, my racing suit, my helmet, and even with me on the podium. It’s a way for me to represent Kurdistan wherever I go and to share its spirit with the world.
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Isaac as a child in his go-kart - and Isaac today, driving the McLaren 720s GT
> For the first time this year, I also have the support of Visit Kurdistan - a new official initiative dedicated to promoting Kurdistan’s identity, culture, and potential as a vibrant destination for tourism and investment. <
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HG: ​Was it always a dream to drive under the Kurdish flag and in what way did Visit Kurdistan contribute to make it happen?
ITL: It has always been a dream of mine to race while representing my country, and it has been a long and challenging journey. We started in 2011 with the Barzani Racing Team, which has now become the Kurdistan Racing Team. For the first time this year, I also have the support of Visit Kurdistan - a new official initiative dedicated to promoting Kurdistan’s identity, culture, and potential as a vibrant destination for tourism and investment.
Until now, I often felt alone in this mission, but with Visit Kurdistan by my side, I finally feel supported by an organization that shares the same vision: proudly representing Kurdistan on the global stage and showing the world that it is a beautiful, welcoming, and promising place.
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HG: Could you also tell us about your biggest sporting influences - maybe even out of racing itself?
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ITL: Without a doubt, my biggest and only idol growing up was Ayrton Senna. His passion, his fighting spirit, his determination, and his ability to overcome every obstacle truly inspired me. He never gave up, no matter the challenge, and that mentality had a huge influence on me both as a driver and as a person.
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HG: To maybe conclude this first conversation of us, is there any specific goal, just racing wise or in general, that you are pursuing now, that you could tell us about?
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ITL: This year, the goal is to fight for the GT World Sprint Bronze Cup title. After the first round, we’re currently in third place and very close to the leaders, so it’s an exciting battle. However, my biggest dream is to compete in the most prestigious race in the world - even bigger than Formula 1 - the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Hopefully, we will make that dream a reality very soon.
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HG: And lastly - are there more Kurdistan livery designs on the way?
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ITL: This year, once again, we are proudly representing Kurdistan, with the flag displayed on our car, racing suit, and helmet. Later this year, we plan to race in the UAE with a new livery and logo for our team, which we hope to reveal very soon.
If you want to see Isaac and Kurdistan Racing in action, tune into his socials here and catch him on Saturday ( 02.08.25) at Magny Cours representing the Kurdish flag once again.
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Special Thanks to Visit Kurdistan.
