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-yea
r-old repeating his feat in August.
Although conditions are cooler on this occasion by some 20 degrees compared to nine months ago, even with light showers at times, Massa is ready to stoke the fires of this year's title race.
The Brazilian is determined to clinch a hat-trick of victories, and so close the gap on Ferrari team-mate 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 past two years.
"Two years ago on this track I enjoyed my first victory in Formula 1, 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.
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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, and Massa hopes this can continue.
"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. "If Ferrari keep on winning, it could be very close between me and Kimi," added Massa.
"The last three races have gone very well for Ferrari, but we know things can change very quickly in this sport. Lots of things can happen; a driver can have bad luck or there can be technical difficulties.
"All the same, the car is going very well at the moment and we have every chance of winning here if we concentrate hard all weekend."
Mistakes in Australia and Malaysia ensure Massa is not closer to his team-mate and rival in the standings. They have also ensured the speculation relating to his future, and that Fernando Alonso will replace him next season, refuses to go away.
Massa, though, is unconcerned by all the gossip, adding: "Every week we have different rumours in Formula 1. I think Formula 1 rivals football in terms of rumours, but I'm happy within the team, and my place is safe as I have a three-year contract with Ferrari.
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Massa posted the fastest lap of the day of one minute 27.323secs, followed by McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen, Raikkonen and Hamilton.
The full article contains 546 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
