2007 TURKISH GRAND PRIX ISTANBUL 24 - 26 AUGUST
PREVIEW
Formula One returns to action next weekend after the three-week
summer break with the Turkish Grand Prix at the Istanbul Park
Circuit, Round 12 of the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship.
The Honda Racing F1 Team's drivers Jenson Button and Rubens
Barrichello have been taking advantage of the break to have
some well-deserved relaxation time, whilst continuing their
training in preparation for what is always a challenging race
in very hot conditions.
Back at the factory, work has been continuing on the RA107
car as the team seeks to address its performance issues. Despite
no track testing in this period, an intensive programme of
development has been underway, with the team keen to return
to racing with some improvements.
SHUHEI NAKAMOTO - Senior Technical Director
"We have been working very hard at the factory during
the three-week break since the Hungarian Grand Prix to analyse
the problems that we experienced in that race and to continue
developing the car. Everyone at the team was very disappointed
with our performance at the Hungaroring and although we recognise
the RA107 particularly struggled at this type of high downforce
circuit, we are making all possible efforts to improve our
current situation. The next race in Turkey is a circuit which
should be more suited to our car and we expect to be able
to fight more effectively in the midfield. We need to keep
looking forward, maintain our motivation and work hard."
JENSON BUTTON
"The Turkish Grand Prix has quickly become one of my
favourite races on the F1 calendar. The track layout is excellent
with a challenging combination of long straights, tight hairpins
and the very high-speed turn eight. The changes in elevation
also contribute to making it a fun circuit for the drivers.
There are some really good overtaking opportunities at turn
one and turn three where I gained a place in the race last
year. You also have a chance at passing into turns nine and
twelve. To get a really quick lap around this circuit, you
really need to consciously push hard all the way round and
use the track's camber to your full advantage. I have had
a couple of great races here in the last two years to finish
in the top six, and whilst our performance isn't quite there
this year, I am expecting an improvement from the last race."
RUBENS BARRICHELLO
"I have been very impressed with the Istanbul circuit
over the past two years and we have seen some exciting races
there. The track is fairly challenging from a drivers' point
of view as it runs anti-clockwise which is quite unusual and
physically tough, and also the undulations are quite extreme
which can make your lap quite exciting. The highlight for
most drivers is the high-speed turn eight where the triple
apex makes it really important to get your line right. The
break has been good to recharge and get ready for the final
stage of the season but I know that work has been continuing
at the factory to push the development of the car. I am confident
that we will have a better race weekend in Turkey."
ISTANBUL PARK
No of Laps 58 laps
Circuit Length 5.338 km
Race Distance 309.396 km
The Turkish Grand Prix made its Formula One debut in 2005
at an all-new purpose built circuit just outside Istanbul.
The 5.338km track was designed by Herman Tilke, the man behind
the new circuits in Malaysia, Bahrain and China.
The circuit features fourteen turns - eight lefts and six
rights - with plenty of gradient change as the track is built
on four different ground levels. An unusual feature is that
the lap runs anti-clockwise, joining Interlagos in Brazil
as the only circuits currently on the F1 calendar to do so.
The circuit provides the drivers with a real challenge, with
the cars reaching speeds of up to 330kph along the two main
straights.
The facilities at the circuit are as impressive as the race
track. Seating capacity at Istanbul Park is 130,000 with 25,000
of those in the main grandstand, and parking is available
for 12,000 cars. Dominating the circuit's skyline are two
seven-floor towers built at either end of the paddock for
VIPs and the media.
HONDA IN TURKEY
* Honda began operating in Turkey in 1992
* The factory in Gebze Sekerpinar began operations in 1997
and now
employs 750 people
* The production capacity of the factory is 30,000 units which
will increase to 50,000 units in October 2007
* Honda's market share in Turkey is currently 6.7%
* Automotive sales in 2006 were 24,500 including vehicles
made in
Turkey and exported elsewhere
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