The longer wheelbase designed for faster circuits in the same vein as Albert Park, Bahrain Magny-Cours and
Silverstone – all of which
Ferrari have won at this year – mean Istanbul Park could well put McLaren’s driver feud into perspective.
For Massa, Istanbul is the scene of many happy memories, last year’s race having signalled the first of his four career victories to this point. Indeed, he will need a repeat of last year’s race if he is to maintain contact in this season’s title race, the Brazilian’s abysmal Hungarian Grand Prix putting him back behind
Kimi Raikkonen and 21 points off the championship lead.
Nonetheless, the Brazilian is confident that both he and the car will be the combination to beat come race day.
"I am looking forward to Turkey, which will always have a special significance for me, as it was in Istanbul last year that I got my first ever Grand Prix victory. It is still fresh in my mind and it is a great memory and a nice feeling to be carrying back with me to this year's race. It was a great victory for me. I love the track and the city and I really hope to repeat the great result from last year, when I was very strong all weekend, starting from pole position and winning on Sunday. I hope we can do it again. Istanbul Park is a really great track.
"Turkey last year I was a first time race winner and in the space of twelve months things have changed as I am now chasing a title. As a team, we try and have a package that is competitive at every circuit, but Istanbul is the first of a series of quick tracks and I think these will suit us particularly well. Last year, from Turkey onwards I had a great championship, so that is an encouraging sign.”
Although beaten fairly in a tense head-to-head in Hungary, Raikkonen is confident for Turkey too, particularly as he clings onto the fact that he is – and will always be – the first winner of the race in 2005.
