2008 Turkish Grand Prix preview: how can anyone stop Ferrari?
Ferrari have a seriously impressive winning streak going at the moment:
| Race | Kimi Raikkonen | Felipe Massa |
| 2007 Chinese Grand Prix | 1 | 3 |
| 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix | 1 | 2 |
| 2008 Australian Grand Prix | 8 | DNF |
| 2008 Malaysian Grand Prix | 1 | DNF |
| 2008 Bahrain Grand Prix | 2 | 1 |
| 2008 Spanish Grand Prix | 1 | 2 |
Their off-colour performance at Melbourne is the only blot in their last half-dozen races. Can anyone stop them in Istanbul?
Ferrari seemed to have a decisive few tenths of a second’s advantage over their closest rivals in Barcelona. In the last two races they’ve had both their drivers at the head of the pack within a couple of laps and dictated the pace of the race from there.
If either of their closest rivals – McLaren and BMW – can hold them back in Istanbul they need to begin on Saturday by getting ahead of them in qualifying.
In order to do that they probably need to run a little lighter on fuel. BMW have tried it a few times and Robert Kubica has looked like the driver best placed to do it.
McLaren on the other hand seem unwilling to run a lighter fuel load in qualifying. They have apparently been struggling with rear tyre wear, and if they ran a shorter first stint their later stints would have to be slightly longer as a result and might be too much for their tyres to take.
And McLaren and BMW now have the added complication of a resurgent Renault and Fernando Alonso, who seem able to get ahead of them (but not necessarily Ferrari), if they run light in qualifying.
It all points towards another one-two for Ferrari at a track where Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa have won all three of their previous races. I wouldn’t bet on anyone stopping them this weekend.
Wesley said on 7th May 2008, 23:45
BMW will mix it up,no Ferrari 1-2 this weekend.
I hope to see Nick on podium but,I think the golden boy Kubica will be there to seperate the red overalls.
This is my heart speaking,my brain is often wrong.
the limit said on 8th May 2008, 1:33
The real scary thing, is that Raikkonen has still to race on circuits like Magny Cours, Silverstone, Spa, Shanghai, Interlagos. Its a sobering thought when you think this time last year he was struggling.
The other teams must be trembling at that thought! Michael who?
Pink Peril said on 8th May 2008, 2:05
I hope so ! It’s a sad day indeed when Q3 is more exciting than the race. I fear we are in for another borefest like last week :(
Gman said on 8th May 2008, 5:25
As this will be the first time i’ll be tuning in for the Turkish GP, can any of you tell me if this is a quality track? I’ve always heard it hyped up as one of Tilke’s best designs, but yet it’s also siad to be difficult to overtake on. Can any of you veterans give a first-year guy your insights/opinions?
I’d also love to see BMW break through at some point- perhaps this is the weekend for it to happen. As for McLaren, is there any work of Heikki’s status?
sumedh said on 8th May 2008, 7:32
It won’t be a Ferrari 1-2. They are bound to get over-confident, just like at Australia.
I think we are going to see a maiden winner this time :
Kubika or Heikki are really going to prove their mettle
Sush said on 8th May 2008, 9:24
Gman, Heikki’s status to drive will be decided today, it should be on the Formula1 or FIA site first.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 8th May 2008, 10:31
Kovalainen will race, it’s been announced.
Alianora La Canta said on 8th May 2008, 12:12
That’s great!
Wesley said on 8th May 2008, 23:54
Good for Heikki!He is a scrapper.