The high priests of motor racing will be back in Istanbul this
weekend as the Istanbul Park circuit hosts leg 12 of the Formula
One 2007 season, the Petrol Ofisi Turkish Grand Prix, Turkish
Daily News reported on Wednesay.
The race, being held in the Turkish largest city of Istanbul for
the third time, marks the 100th start in a Grand Prix for the
McLaren Mercedes team's double world champion Fernando Alonso.
Alonso made his Formula One debut at the 2001 Australian Grand
Prix and in this time has amassed an impressive total of 18
victories, including three this season with Vodafone McLaren
Mercedes, on his way to achieving back-to-back drivers' titles.
Fernando currently lies in second position in the 2007 standings
with 73 points, just seven behind his teammate Lewis Hamilton who
leads with 80. Their team currently has a total of 138 points, 19
ahead of nearest challenger Ferrari.
Sensational rookie Hamilton, who joined the team at the start of
the season after a successful season in the GP2 Championship,
praised the Istanbul Park circuit.
The British driver thinks some parts of the circuit are very
challenging. "It is an amazing track to drive, with so many
different challenges, and overtaking is possible. The circuit is
pretty wide, which always helps when you are trying to pass. Having
dropped down to the back of the field after spinning on the second
lap last year, I spent the race working my way back up to second,
it felt like a win and it would be great to get on the top step
this year!"
Hamilton is also keen to be a part of the drivers' title
competition until the very end. "During the short summer break I
have been keeping up with my training to ensure I am fully prepared
for it. Along with the team, I am very motivated right now. There
are six races remaining and I am looking forward to the challenge,"
he concluded.
Spaniard Alonso, who has come second in the past two years that
Istanbul Park hosted Formula One, is also happy to be back in
Turkey after the summer break.
"It is always great to have a break and recharge the batteries,
but it is fantastic to be getting back out on the track in Turkey.
I have a solid points total in the drivers' championship and I am
aiming to build on that considerably in Istanbul," he said.
Heading to the final six races, Alonso says he will take on
challenges one by one. "We are in a strong position in both
championships and there are a lot of points to be won in the final
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."
(Xinhua News Agency August 23, 2007)