Turkish Grand Prix Promises To Be A Thriller

Topics:  Turkish Grand Prix

Anthony Fontanelle
August 16, 2007

Next week, all Formula One teams will gather in Istanbul for the twelfth race of the season - the Turkish Grand Prix. The race is considered by many as the turning point of the season. With seventeen Grands Prix scheduled for this season, the twelfth race will make the picture clearer regarding the race for the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.

McLaren is currently leading the standings with Ferrari on second. McLaren has 138 points after eleven races although in the eleventh race, the team was not given the points after the fiasco concerning Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton during the qualifying session for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Ferrari, on the other hand, failed to capitalize of the penalty as only Kimi Raikkonen scored at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Ferrari has shown signs of resurgence at the French and British Grands Prix with Kimi Raikkonen claiming two straight victories. The European Grand Prix though was a disaster for Raikkonen as he was not able to finish the race. McLaren’s Fernando Alonso took the victory at the said event. The next race also shows McLaren dominating once again. Rookie sensation Lewis Hamilton was awarded the pole position after the FIA penalized Alonso after the latter blocked the rookie in the pit lane during the qualifying session. Hamilton went on to win his third race.

Although McLaren was not awarded any points at the Hungarian Grand Prix, they are still leading Ferrari by a large margin. Going into the Turkish Grand Prix, McLaren is looking to increase their lead while Ferrari will be aiming to close the gap between them and the leaders. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s win at the Hungarian Grand Prix pushed him much closer to his quest of becoming the first rookie to win the championship.

The Turkish Grand Prix will not only be crucial for the championship. The qualifying fiasco at the Hungarian Grand Prix and the subsequent demotion of Alonso to fifth in the starting grid has started a cold war between the teammates. With these talented drivers seemingly at war with each other, McLaren needs to weigh the situation carefully and let the two drivers work out their differences.

It is interesting to note that before the European Grand Prix, a TV commercial starring Alonso and Hamilton as well as Mika Hakkinen was aired. The ad was for Mercedes-Benz - the team’s engine supplier and makers of automobiles and auto parts such as Mercedes air filters. In the said commercial, Hamilton and Alonso are seen battling each other from the tracks to the hotel lobby, their rooms, the gym and the sauna. One would have surmised that the two are getting along just fine until the Hungarian Grand Prix incident.

Hamilton seems to be warming up to Alonso. The rookie said: “For the record, Fernando and I are fiercely competitive and respectful of each other. We are both ambitious drivers who want to win. However, we are not drivers at war, as has been widely reported.”

“Although we did not speak on Sunday we have spoken since the weekend and continue to have a professional working relationship. In fact, Fernando and I plan to meet up over the holiday period.”

Source:  Amazines.com