The high priests of motor racing will be back in Istanbul this weekend as the Istanbul Park circuit hosts leg 12 of the Formula One 2007 season, the Petrol Ofisi Turkish Grand Prix, Turkish Daily News reported on Wednesay.

 

The race, being held in the Turkish largest city of Istanbul for the third time, marks the 100th start in a Grand Prix for the McLaren Mercedes team's double world champion Fernando Alonso.

 

Alonso made his Formula One debut at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix and in this time has amassed an impressive total of 18 victories, including three this season with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, on his way to achieving back-to-back drivers' titles.

 

Fernando currently lies in second position in the 2007 standings with 73 points, just seven behind his teammate Lewis Hamilton who leads with 80. Their team currently has a total of 138 points, 19 ahead of nearest challenger Ferrari.

 

Sensational rookie Hamilton, who joined the team at the start of the season after a successful season in the GP2 Championship, praised the Istanbul Park circuit.

 

The British driver thinks some parts of the circuit are very challenging. "It is an amazing track to drive, with so many different challenges, and overtaking is possible. The circuit is pretty wide, which always helps when you are trying to pass. Having dropped down to the back of the field after spinning on the second lap last year, I spent the race working my way back up to second, it felt like a win and it would be great to get on the top step this year!"

 

Hamilton is also keen to be a part of the drivers' title competition until the very end. "During the short summer break I have been keeping up with my training to ensure I am fully prepared for it. Along with the team, I am very motivated right now. There are six races remaining and I am looking forward to the challenge," he concluded.

 

Spaniard Alonso, who has come second in the past two years that Istanbul Park hosted Formula One, is also happy to be back in Turkey after the summer break.

 

"It is always great to have a break and recharge the batteries, but it is fantastic to be getting back out on the track in Turkey. I have a solid points total in the drivers' championship and I am aiming to build on that considerably in Istanbul," he said.

 

Heading to the final six races, Alonso says he will take on challenges one by one. "We are in a strong position in both championships and there are a lot of points to be won in the final races. However, we are looking at the races one by one, and my focus is on this Grand Prix and getting the best result possible in Turkey."

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 23, 2007)