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Felipe Massa has underlined his ability to compete well at the Istanbul Park circuit, winning his third race at the track and pulling himself back into contention for the 2008 world championship. And with team mate Kimi Raikkonen finishing in third, Ferrari are looking imperious at the top of the constructors leader board. Lewis Hamilton did well to finish in second, splitting the red cars and controlling a tyre problem from Bridgestone. Continue Reading

Felipe Massa has won his third Turkish Grand Prix in succession, proving that he really loves the Istanbul Park circuit. Being one of Tilke’s better designs, the track saw fair few overtaking moves, most notable around the McLaren’s. Lewis Hamilton made a great pass into turn one, and Heikki Kovalainen was involved in a prolonged battle during the race in the midfield. A full report will be up shortly. Continue Reading

Having won the fight for pole position and race victory in the 2006 and 2007 Turkish Grands Prix, Felipe has made it a hat-trick for qualifying, and is looking strong for a third race win at Istanbul Park. However, it won’t be easy for the Brazilian driver to run and hide as McLaren are looking much faster than before, slotting into second and third and demoting 2005 Turkish race winner Kimi Raikkonen to fourth. Interestingly, it was Heikki Kovalainen who out-qualified Lewis Hamilton, showing no signs of hesitation as the Finn returns to the monocoque after his big accident a fortnight ago. Continue Reading

The Turkish Grand Prix grid was decided earlier, with Ferrari’s Felipe Massa hoping to make three wins from three races at Istanbul. His chances are looking good with the Brazilian on pole position. However, the McLaren’s have pulled something out of the bag and aren’t too far behind, Heikki Kovalainen getting the better of Lewis Hamilton in second. The second Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen will start in fourth. A full report will be posted later today, although I’m currently having connectivity issues, so it may be a little late. Continue Reading

The fifth round of the 2008 Formula One World Championship got underway earlier this morning, with Felipe Massa going fastest in the pre-lunch practice around the Istanbul Circuit. Having won the previous two Turkish Grands Prix, Massa is quite handy at this track and his lap time was 0.133s faster than second-placed driver Heikki Kovalainen. Showing no signs from his accident a fortnight ago, Kovalainen pipped his team mate into second, while both McLarens looked much more comfortable than they have done in the previous two or three races. Continue Reading

To mark Rubens Barrichello’s 257th race, the most a Formula One driver has ever competed, Honda will give Barrichello a special livery and helmet design to use this weekend at Istanbul Park. Of course, it isn’t entirely clear if this is actually Barrichello’s 257th race start, but the Brazilian has decided to mark the occasion on Sunday. Riccardo Patrese’s long-standing record of 256 will finally fall. For younger fans who may have never seen Patrese, the Italian is pictured in the photo next to Barrichello. Continue Reading

It was a glorious day for Ferrari as Kimi Raikkonen led a one-two on the final lap of the Spanish Grand Prix, but rivals McLaren and BMW had a poor end to their weekend, McLaren only collecting six points and BMW five. Fernando Alonso eventually retired, his Renault engine letting go at the most inopportune moment. The Circuit de Catalunya also saw a fair few other retirements as well, with only thirteen cars managing to get tot he finish line on lap 66. The most noted of retirements being Heikki Kovalainen, who hit the tyre barrier at T8 at around 140mph. Thankfully, the Finn appears to be fine, just a little concussed and sore. Continue Reading

Kimi Raikkonen has led home a one-two finish for Ferrari. In what was an eventful race for Barcelona, the grand prix was ultimately a little dull in comparison to others on the calendar. However, Raikkonen now extends his lead in the drivers championship, and Massa collected a much needed eight points from second. Unfortunately Fernando Alonso was forced to pull his Renault over to the side of the circuit, his engine suffering a rare failure. Lewis Hamilton collected third but all eyes were on his team mate, Heikki Kovalainen, who was flown to hospital after a high-speed accident. So far, it appears as though Heikki is fine. Continue Reading

Kimi Raikkonen may have claimed his first pole position of the year, but all the talk in the Spanish paddock is of local hero Fernando Alonso. The double world champion has been enduring a tough year so far in the under-performing Renault R28, but in front of his adoring home crowds, Alonso slapped his car on provisional pole for a few moments, before Raikkonen demoted him to second where he remained. With the fans erupting in joy and applauding Fernando, his position may not last all that long in tomorrow’s race. Speaking to ITV after the session, Pat Symonds stated that it is clear Alonso and his team mate are not on the same strategy. Continue Reading

Qualifying for tomorrow’s Spanish Grand Prix has been wrapped up, the pole position going to Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen. Team mate Felipa Massa ended his afternoon in third. Hoping to be the cat among the pigeons though is local hero Fernando Alonso who managed to claim second, although it is expected for the Renault driver to be one of the first on the pits tomorrow. The sister Renault of Nelson Piquet Jr managed to get into Q3 as well, highlighting the improvements made to the R27. The McLaren’s appear to be on their back foot so far, but speaking to Louise Goodman after the session, Lewis Hamilton didn’t appear to be overly concerned with his fifth place grid slot. A full report will be posted shortly. Continue Reading