Seven reasons to look forward to the Turkish Grand Prix 2010

Turkish Grand Prix Preview

The Istanbul Park circuit is arguably the most spectacular Herman Tilke venue on the Grand Prix calendar and often produces close racing. Here are seven reasons to look forward to the Turkish Grand Prix on Sunday.

1. Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel

The battle between Red Bull teammates, Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel, will hot up in Turkey this weekend with the highest placed driver poised to take the World Championship lead. Webber has enjoyed a great run of form at the moment but struggled to match Vettel at this race last year so will face a tough challenge from the young German. Both drivers are likely to be racing each other for the victory.

2. The spectacular Turn 8

The ferocious Turn 8 at Istanbul is regarded by some drivers as the most exciting corner in Formula One. The corner is actually four massive high speed kinks that join together. Drivers will pull 5G for over four seconds through the bends which is so physical that drivers will purposely take it slower during practice to reduce the strain. The track is very bumpy which adds to the challenge of Turn 8, and almost every driver has run off the road there at some point.

3. Massa is under pressure

Felipe Massa recovered some of his old form at Monaco but will be racing on harder tyres in Turkey which don't favour his driving style. This is the Brazilian's best circuit so he will be aiming to match or beat Alonso to quash rumours that Ferrari are going to replace him in 2011.

4. Overtaking is possible

The first ever Grand Prix in Turkey featured a great battle on the first lap between Raikkonen, Alonso, and Fisichella who ran three abreast down the long back straight at 300kph. The circuit has continued to provide good racing thanks to its fast straights so any recovery drives from the back of the field will be exciting to watch.

5. This could the last Turkish GP

Formula One Management are yet to confirm whether the Turkish Grand Prix will take place in 2011 so this may be the last time F1 cars visit this brilliant circuit. It's a shame that Herman Tilke couldn't construct the Istanbul layout in a country where the event was more sustainable.

6. McLaren are fighting back

Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button are confident they will be on the pace in Turkey thanks to McLaren's F-Duct and a number of small updates being introduced over the weekend. Button has said "We should be particularly well suited to Turkey, and I think we've got a good chance of going well there" so the gap to Red Bull might not be as big as it has been in the past.

7. Drivers will make mistakes

A number of corners at the Istanbul Park circuit are particularly challenging and it's very easy to make a small mistake through the undulating bends. Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen, and Sebastian Vettel have all thrown away victories in Turkey by making mistakes so there might be more of the same in 2010.

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Posted by Martin Porter. - Follow him on twitter @mpondaweb.

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