For the third year in a row Felipe Massa won the Turkish Grand Prix from the pole this afternoon. Although Lewis Hamilton’s McLaren was in his mirrors for much of the race Massa’s victory was never seriously in doubt. Hopefully this win, his second along with a second-place in the last three races, will silence the persistent rumours that his future at Ferrari may be in doubt.
Apart from a brief period behind the safety car after Giancarlo Fisichella tried to drive over Kazuki Nakajima’s Williams on the first lap the race was fairly processional and attrition was light with only Sebastien Bourdais joining these two in the DNF category. Probably just as well as the starting grid was already depleted by the mid-week announcement that Super Aguri was folding its tent.
Depending on who you listen to, Rubens Barrichello may have set a new record today by competing in his 257th Grand Prix. Others are saying that he hasn’t “competed” in quite that many yet as he didn’t actually start a couple of the races that he was entered in during his long career. Either way, if he hasn’t already, he should break the record long before the end of this season and he’s already talking about extending his run to 300.
| Position | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Felipe Massa (BRA) | Ferrari | 10 |
| 2 | Lewis Hamilton (GBR) | McLaren | 8 |
| 3 | Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) | Ferrari | 6 |
| 4 | Robert Kubica (POL) | BMW Sauber | 5 |
| 5 | Nick Heidfeld (GER) | BMW Sauber | 4 |
| 6 | Fernando Alonso (ESP) | Renault | 3 |
| 7 | Mark Webber (AUS) | Red Bull | 2 |
| 8 | Nico Rosberg (GER) | Williams | 1 |
| Fastest Qualifier: Felipe Massa (BRA) | |||