Massa looks to continue love affair with Turkey

FELIPE MASSA is hoping to continue his love affair with Turkey and rub further salt into McLaren’s wounds.

Massa has enjoyed a deep affinity with the Istanbul Park circuit where he was yesterday again out in front ahead of tomorrow’s Turkish Grand Prix.

The first of the Brazilian’s six career wins to date was two years ago on this track, with the 27-year-old repeating his feat last August.

And the Brazilian is determined to clinch a hat-trick of victories, and so close the gap on Ferrari teammate and current championship leader Kimi Raikkonen.

Reigning world champion Raikkonen has a nine-point cushion over McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, with Massa a further two points adrift.

But after setting the fastest time in practice, Massa said: “I’ve had a fantastic race here for the last two years. “Two years ago on this track I enjoyed my first victory in Formula One, so it is a very special place for me.

“Last year I repeated the victory, so hopefully now I can have a third one. It would be fantastic, and I will push hard for it.

“So there is no need to hide my plans for the weekend. I want to achieve a trio of victories here in Turkey.’’

After Hamilton’s season-opening triumph in Australia, Ferrari have romped away with the last three grands prix, notably scoring one-two finishes in the previous two races in Bahrain and Spain.

As Massa notes, there has been a pendulum effect between Raikkonen and himself he hopes will swing back in his favour on Sunday.

“Well, Kimi won in Malaysia, then I won in Bahrain and he won in Spain, so let’s hope it continues like this right to the end of the championship. That would be fantastic,” remarked Massa.

If Ferrari continue to dominate their rivals, and neither McLaren nor BMW Sauber fail to make their mark, the championship may well turn into a two-horse race between Raikkonen and Massa.

“With regard to the title, if Ferrari keep on winning, it could be very close between me and Kimi,” assessed Massa. The Brazilian posted the fastest lap of the day of one minute 27.323secs, followed by McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen, Raikkonen and Hamilton.