Just two weeks on from his monster shunt in the Spanish Grand Prix, Heikki Kovalainen could have been forgiven for thinking that he was due a change of fortunes in Istanbul – only Lady Luck was not so kind.

Having qualified superbly on the front row of the grid for the first time in his fledgling Formula 1 career, a tardy getaway off the dirty side of the track allowed Kimi Raikkonen behind to get a run on him into the first corner, and as the world championship leader pointed his nose down the inside of his countryman's McLaren-Mercedes, the Ferrari's front wing touched the left rear on Kovalainen's MP4-23, leaving the Finn to pit for a new tyre at the end of the safety car period – and facing an uphill struggle race-long.

That said, the 26-year-old nevertheless provided the majority of the race's entertainment as he fought his way back up through the order again, tussling energetically with Toyota's Timo Glock, Williams star Nico Rosberg and Red Bull Racing ace David Coulthard amongst others along the way. Until eight laps from home, indeed, it even looked as though his dogged perseverance may pay off with the final points position, but a late splash n' dash prompted by the team's tyre-determined three-stop strategy scuppered any such hopes, leaving Kovalainen a frustrated twelfth at the chequered flag.

“Not a lucky race for me,” he reflected afterwards, “as I made a bad start from the dirty line on the grid. After the start Kimi and I touched slightly, which caused a slow puncture to my left rear tyre. Initially I was not sure whether the tyre was damaged or not, but during the safety car period I realised that I had to come into the pits for a new tyre.

“That was almost it for me, because with my heavy fuel load and the traffic it is extremely difficult to gain any places during the race. However, I did my best but no points.

“These things happen, and I have had a good weekend and really enjoyed being back in the car. It's a shame that we were not able to get points today as I have been fast throughout, but I am really optimistic for Monaco.”

The Woking-based concern's team principal Ron Dennis was nevertheless pleased with his young charge's performance, even if it did ultimately yield nul points.

“Heikki's race was spoiled by a punctured left rear tyre,” the 60-year-old explained, “the result of contact with Kimi at the first corner. As soon as the pit-lane had re-opened, we called him in for tyres and fuel. Thereafter he drove forcefully and well all afternoon. But for that puncture, he would have scored heavily today.”

“Kimi touched Heikki at the first corner, and Heikki had to make an extra pit-stop due to a damaged tyre,” added Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Vice-President Norbert Haug. “This ruined his race and prevented him from taking a possible podium finish.”