Two-time world champion, Fernando Alonso will reach a landmark in his Formula 1 career next weekend, as the Turkish Grand Prix will be his one hundredth outing at the pinnacle of the sport.
Alonso, who made his debut in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship back in 2001, however won't be concerned with such trivia. Indeed his main focus will be on cutting the gap to his McLaren-Mercedes team-mate, Lewis Hamilton, who currently leads the race for the 2007 drivers' title by 7 points.
Having finished second in Turkey in 2005 and 2006, Fernando has only one aim this time out – namely to end the event on the top step of the podium.
"It is always great to have a break and re-charge the batteries, but it is fantastic to be getting back out on track in Turkey. I have a solid points total in the Drivers' World Championship and I am aiming to build on that considerably in Istanbul," he vowed.
"We are in a strong position in both Championships and there are a lot of points to be won in the final six races.
"However, we are looking at the races one by one, and my focus is on this Grand Prix and getting the best result possible in Turkey. I have come second in the two years we have raced here previously and I will be aiming to improve on that this time."
As for the venue itself, like a lot of the drivers', Fernando thinks the 3.317 mile track is one of the better ones on the Formula 1 calendar, although it is tough in terms of tyre wear.
"The track is great to drive, with some sections that are really on the limit and what you want to race on as a driver, turn eight in particular. It tends to be very hot at this race and this can have an effect on tyre wear,” he explained.
“We race anti-clockwise and this also adds to the tyre wear, with the front right higher than at other tracks.
“The final factor is that the track is one of the fastest circuits on the calendar, with long fast corners, and this is also tough on tyres but we will work with Bridgestone to set the cars up to cope with these characteristics,” he summed-up.
