Formula One: Raikkonen Hopes for Win in Turkish Grand Prix

Topics:  Kimi Raikkonen, Turkish Grand Prix

VOA Sports
August 18, 2005

Formula One auto racing resumes this week with the inaugural Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul as Finland's Kimi Raikkonen looks to continue winning.

Raikkonen, who drives for McLaren Mercedes, won the last Formula One race in Hungary last month while overall points leader Fernando Alonso of Renault failed to score any points.

Alonso has 87 points in the drivers' standings while Raikkonen has 61. Michael Schumacher of Ferrari is third with 55 points.

The Turkish government has invested $220 million in the track, its surrounding infrastructure and roads. Turkey hopes to recover some of that investment from the race, including tickets for a crowd of between 40,000 and 60,000 fans and revenue from worldwide television broadcasts.

The race is also part of Turkey's efforts to generate billions of dollars in tourism income, after hosting last season's Champions League football final and the World University Games.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.