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2008 Turkish Grand Prix, Race report |
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Sunday, 11 May 2008 |
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton finished the Turkish
Grand Prix in Istanbul in second place. After 58 laps (309.396kms), he
came home 3.7 seconds behind winner Felipe Massa. Lewis’s team mate
Heikki Kovalainen had to make an unscheduled stop on lap two (8.4
seconds) following a coming-together at the first corner with Kimi
Raikkonen and ended up 12th
Lewis was on a three-stop strategy and came in on laps 16 (6.4
seconds), 32 (6.2 seconds) and 45 (5.9 seconds). Heikki made his
planned stops on lap 27 (9.9 seconds) and 50 (6.2 seconds). After the
fifth of 18 Grands Prix, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is third in the
Constructors’ Championship with 42 points; Ferrari leads with 63
points. Lewis is third in the drivers’ rankings with 28 points; Heikki
is sixth with 14 points. Räikkönen leads with 35 points.
LEWIS HAMILTON
“I am so thrilled with today’s result, and I think this is the best
race ever for me. It’s not about winning, it’s about feeling that you
extract 100% from yourself and the car and I did that today. Before the
race our prediction was that all being well I would finish fifth, so
second is such a bonus. I was not happy with my performance yesterday
and perhaps if I had managed to get the car on pole I could have won.
However, we knew that we would have to use a three stop strategy as a
precaution as we had some issues with our tyres. The team did a
fantastic job, the pitstops were great, and the balance of the car was
superb, and we all kept our spirit up. There were no problems with the
tyres in the race. I managed to overtake Felipe at one point, and I
really think we have closed the gap to Ferrari. I am so excited about
the next race in Monaco and just can’t wait.”
HEIKKI KOVALAINEN
“Not a lucky race for me as I made a bad start from the dirty line on
the grid. After the start Kimi and I touched slightly which caused a
slow puncture to my left-rear tyre. Initially I was not sure whether
the tyre was damaged or not, but during the Safety Car period I
realised that I had to come into the pits for a new tyre. That was
almost it for me, because with my heavy fuel load and the traffic it is
extremely difficult to gain any places during the race. However, I did
my best but no points. These things happen, and I have had a good
weekend and really enjoyed being back in the car. It’s a shame that we
were not able to get points today as I have been fast throughout, but I
am really optimistic for Monaco.”
RON DENNIS
“Today we saw a truly phenomenal drive from Lewis, in which he
optimised a three-stop strategy that we were forced to adopt as a
consequence of concerns we had with his tyres. As a result of the eight
points that his second-placed finish netted him, he closed the gap on
Kimi in the World Drivers’ Championship to just seven points. Heikki’s
race was spoiled by a punctured left-rear tyre, the result of contact
with Kimi at the first corner. As soon as the pit lane had reopened, we
called him in for tyres and fuel. Thereafter he drove forcefully and
well all afternoon. But for that puncture, he would have scored heavily
today. I believe we have closed the gap to our main competition which
gives the team a great boost before heading for Monte Carlo.”
NORBERT HAUG
“A really exciting Grand Prix and, as I think, quite entertaining for
the spectators. We had an aggressive strategy for Lewis which almost
paid off as our aims were first places in both qualifying and race.
Lewis drove a great race with a good speed. His overtaking manoeuvre
when he passed Massa was surely enjoyed by lots of television
spectators as it does not happen too often in Formula 1 that the
leading car is passed. Kimi touched Heikki at the first corner, and
Heikki had to make an extra pit stop due to a damaged tyre. This ruined
his race and prevented him from taking a possible podium finish. We all
will continue to work very hard and are looking forward to the season’s
highlight in Monte Carlo in two weeks’ time.”
| Pos |
Driver |
Constructor |
Race Time |
| 1 |
Felipe Massa |
Scuderia Ferrari |
1m26:49.451
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| 2 |
Lewis Hamilton |
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes |
+ 3.779
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| 3 |
Kimi Raikkonen |
Scuderia Ferrari |
+ 4.271
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| 4 |
Robert Kubica |
BMW Sauber |
+ 21.945
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| 5 |
Nick Heidfeld |
BMW Sauber |
+ 38.741
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| 6 |
Fernando Alonso |
Renault |
+ 53.724
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| 7 |
Mark Webber |
Red Bull Racing |
+ 1m04.229
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| 8 |
Nico Rosberg |
Williams F1 |
+ 1m11.406
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| 9 |
David Coulthard |
Red Bull Racing |
+ 1m15.270
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| 10 |
Jarno Trulli |
Toyota |
+ 1m16.344
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| 11 |
Jenson Button |
Honda Racing |
+ 1 lap
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| 12 |
Heikki Kovalainen |
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes |
+ 1 lap
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| 13 |
Timo Glock |
Toyota |
+ 1 lap
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| 14 |
Rubens Barrichello |
Honda Racing |
+ 1 lap
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| 15 |
Nelson Piquet Jr |
Renault |
+ 1 lap
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| 16 |
Adrian Sutil |
Force India |
+ 1 lap
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| 17 |
Sebastien Vettel |
Toro Rosso |
+ 1 lap
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Fastest Lap: K Raikkonen 1m26.506
courtesy www.mclaren.com
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 11 May 2008 )
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