F1 Race Review: Turkish GP 2008

After two consecutive 1-2 finishes in Bahrain and Spain, Ferrari seemed to be in awesome form and boosting it was the fact that the only two past race winners of three races at Hermann Tilke’s new track at Turkey were driving for the Scuderia. But, what mattered on Sunday was that Massa seemed unstoppable on Sunday when wrapped up a third consecutive Trojan pole and win in style followed by Lewis & Kimi.

Championship leader Kimi started off his weekend with transmission problems limiting is Friday Run. On Saturday, errors and bad luck only gave Kimi only a P4 on the grid while Massa had a clean run to P1. Lewis and Heikki filled up the gap between the Ferrari duo. While the first three had a neat start, Kimi brushed his front wing with fellow Finn Heikki and could never really challenge for a win and had to be content with third.

The man who had the most work to do this Sunday was Lewis Hamilton who was on a three stop strategy fearing tyre wear. His best move was on Lap 24 when he passed a fuel heavy Massa. The latter remaining unperturbed as he gained back his place when Lewis took his third stop on Lap 32. However, Lewis was successful in fending off third place finisher Kimi. The trio were followed by Kubica, Heidfeld. Fernando brought home his slow Renault in sixth. Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg took the last point finishes.

The bravest midfield battler of the day was Heikki Kovalianen who started from P2 but was forced to make an early pit stop for tyres after a puncture following the brush with Kimi’s front wing which dropped him to the back of the grid saw some interesting battles with Timo Glock and Nico Rosberg. There was another big news maker of the day! Good old Rubens Barrichello set a new record with his 257th Formula 1 start breaking Ricardo Patrese’s long held record making him the most experienced on the grid at present.

At the end of 5 of 18 races, Kimi still leads the drivers table, though only by 7 points. Istanbul seems to be Massa’s lucky charm as it now brings him to a joint second with Lewis on 28. BMW drivers figure next with Kubica at 24. In the constructors table, Scuderia Ferrari now have 63 points far away from 44 and 42 of BMW & McLaren. Well, the next race comes up on May 25, at scenic Monaco! Forza Ferrari!

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