Massa sets his sights on Turkish hat-trick

FERRARI’S Felipe Massa set his sights on a Turkish Grand Prix hat-trick after taking pole position for the third year in a row yesterday.

The Brazilian, winner in 2006 and 2007 at the anti-clockwise Istanbul Park circuit, will have Heikki Kovalainen's McLaren alongside him on the front row today with the Finn coming back strongly from a heavy crash in Spain.

“I think I put together a very good lap,” said Massa of his 12th pole in Formula One, second of the season and Ferrari's 198th since 1950.

“I'm just so happy to come here for the third time with Ferrari and be on pole for the third time. It would be fantastic to repeat that (win) tomorrow.

“I'm looking forward to try and have the best race possible. It won't be easy, we know our competitors are quite strong but close,” added the Brazilian, whose team are chasing their fourth successive win.

Every Turkish Grand Prix so far has been won from pole position.Read More

On the grid: Ferrari look untouchable despite the sport's air of instability

THE anti-clockwise running of the Turkish Grand Prix at the Istanbul Park Circuit today will provide some added pressure to drivers, but Ferrari look likely to remain fast.

But of more concern to me is the pressure brought about by this air of instability that surrounds global motor-sport in general this year. It is a funny, uncertain feeling.

Last Monday the Super Aguri F1 team announced their closure, leaving Formula One with 20 cars starting the Turkish Grand Prix. It is the first time since 2005 that 20 cars will start.

The grapevine also has it that the Scuderia Toro Rosso team are also up for sale and Williams could be under pressure too.

I wouldn't like to see Formula One with just 18 cars or less, not when the overall investment in the sport is sky-rocketing.

More and more countries are building circuits and are willing to invest in the globalisation of motor-sport, but not just in F1 are teams suffering. Read More