Ferrari driver returns to Turkish GP on the back of three successive wins
Ferrari driver returns to Turkish GP on the back of three successive winsFelipe Massa heads to Turkey this weekend with hopes soaring of a potential victory at a circuit he has made his own over the last few years.
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Red Alert: Ferrari driver Felipe Massa rejoices after completing a hat-trick of Turkish Grand Prix wins in Istanbul on May 11, 2008. pic/afp |
Massa has won the last three races at Istanbul's Otodrom, all from pole position, which prompted him to jokingly remark following his triumph last season he was ready to apply for Turkish citizenship.
But, following Jenson Button's stunning start to the year, with the Briton winning five of six grands prix with Brawn GP, there cannot be many willing to back Massa to make it four in a row.
ResurgenceHowever, Massa and Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen suggested a resurgence is on the cards for the team following their fourth and third-place finishes in Monaco nine days ago behind the Brawns.
Massa even set the fastest lap of the race around the streets of Monte-Carlo so, on a track he loves even if he does not know why the Brazilian is ready to resume his Turkish affair.
"I can't wait for Friday (practice) to see if the progress seen in Spain and Monaco will continue in Turkey," remarked Massa.
"I find it difficult to explain why I should be so strong there, other than the fact we have had three fantastic weekends in Turkey when everything has worked perfectly from the first session.
"Obviously, it would be nice to carry on in the same direction.
"I do prefer fast-flowing tracks and I have a feel for all the corners there as it's not good enough to only be fast over one particular section.
"It's not just Turkey, though, as I've won in Brazil for the last two years.
"It's been suggested to me that maybe the reason is they are two of three anti-clockwise circuits on the calendar.
"Who knows? Maybe I'm better than others at driving through left-handed corners!
"Starting from pole for the last few years, I haven't had to give much thought to the overtaking possibilities in Istanbul.
Super Saturday"But this year, given how competitive the front of the field is in qualifying, it is going to be a very interesting Saturday."
With a decent Ferrari finally beneath him this season, the 28-year-old at least feels he is in with a shot at a win for the first time since the end of last year.
"It's nice to be able to have something really positive to say for the first time this season," added Massa.
"Finishing third and fourth in Monaco, and setting the fastest lap, are two excellent reasons to be positive. At Ferrari we are used to not settling for anything less than a win."
