Turkish GP – McLaren tries to forget the Spanish GP

The entire McLaren-Mercedes team now turns its attention to the Turkish Grand Prix, hoping to forget the mishaps that involved them two weeks ago in Spain. Hamilton’s podium finish wasn’t enough to overshadow Kovalainen’s accident.

The Finn is still awaiting FIA approval to participate in the Istanbul race, while Hamilton prepares for this circuit, which features an extremely demanding corner and, above all, a track where drivers will race counterclockwise.

Lewis Hamilton – Race Car Driver

« Qualifying will be crucial at Istanbul Park even though overtaking opportunities are plentiful. The car’s balance was good in Spain, which will also be essential in Turkey due to the high-speed corners. The section of the track that includes Turn 8 is the key to the race. »

« The tires will suffer at turn 8. The fact that we turn counterclockwise doesn’t really have any effect. As a result, you need to prepare the left side of your neck. »

« In any case, it’s a fantastic circuit. It is very demanding and represents a real challenge. I’m always looking forward to this race and I hope to improve my result from last year. I hope Heikki will be by my side in the race to achieve a good overall result for the team. »

Heikki Kovalainen – Racing Driver:

« I feel good, the stiffness in my neck has almost disappeared. I left Spain on Thursday to fly to Finland, where I spent a few days working with the team doctor. The next step for me is the mandatory FIA fitness test. »

« I want to get back to racing as soon as possible, since the accident, it’s my only motivation. You know the risks but you don’t think about it. »

« It is certainly one of the circuits with the most hills. There are also parts of this circuit that are very flat, so there isn’t too much effect on the setup of the single-seater. »

Martin Whitmarsh – McLaren-Mercedes General Manager:

« Regarding Heikki Kovalainen’s car, it was transferred to the technology center following the race. Each part was immediately quarantined while the analysis on the causes of the accident was completed. »

« Istanbul is a very challenging circuit for the team because it is not a traditional race in Europe. There are some very demanding corners. Therefore, a well-balanced car is necessary to withstand the high speeds in the corners. The tires are also of utmost importance. We have every reason to be optimistic that we will be able to preserve our Bridgestone tires. »