Unfortunately I don’t think that this data sheet will be as useful as it is some weekends, as Formula One cars have only raced at the Istanbul circuit three times previously. Some interesting 2008 season trends are starting to form though.

Title: Turkish Grand Prix Data Sheet | Format: PDF | Filesize: 78.1kb

Felipe Massa clearly enjoys the track and all of the media talk in the build up to the race has been about Ferrari domination. On the evidence of the last race at Barcelona it is admittedly difficult to foresee any other outcome, but it is interesting nonetheless to note that McLaren took the Win, Pole and Fastest Lap here in 2005.

Given the apparent importance of pole position, will anyone be tempted to go light to try and leap-frog the Ferraris? I have read that one of the reasons why McLaren haven’t tried this tactic so far this season is that issues with their rear-tyres prevent them from running a short first stint (thus requiring longer periods on one set of tyres later on in the race). Will the moving of this race to a cooler early May slot now make this a viable option?

I need to do some more thinking…