Ferrari team boss Jean Todt again paid tribute to race winner Felipe Massa. For some months the Frenchman has been championing Massa's cause with the media and following the Brazilian's maiden win on Sunday, Todt was keen to highlight his achievement claiming Massa is a new champion for F1.
"After 14 races he is third in the championship, and he did not score 62 points by winning the race," Todt said. "He had 52 before the race, he now has 62 after he won. He was already third in the championship, so for those with open eyes he is a good driver.
Championship leader Fernando Alonso says Michelin and Bridgestone will decide whether he or Michael Schumacher wins this year's crown. Alonso extended his lead over Schumacher to twelve points after this weekend's Turkish Grand Prix.
"I think we're in Michelin and Bridgestone's hands because the cars are at their maximum development now," Alonso said. "The tyres can give you more than half a second so I think they'll be the deciding factor."
Felipe Massa stormed to his maiden F1 victory from pole position in Turkey becoming the sport's second first-time winner in as many races. Fernando Alonso held off immense pressure from Michael Schumacher in the final stages of the race to lead the German home in second and third places respectively.
Conditions were very hot and sunny. Air temperature was a stifling 35 degrees Centigrade and the track a scorching 53 degrees. The heat got to Michael Schumacher as he made a sluggish start and Alonso pulled alongside. The German chopped across the track in a desperate attempt and courtesy of some incredibly late braking managed to fend his title rival off.
Sixth win of the season for Ferrari, the first from Felipe Massa. This is win number 189 from 737 races. Felipe took his maiden career win. Michael Schumacher came home in third.
"We are very happy about Felipe's win, the first of his career having driven impeccably," said team boss Jean Todt. "Today, we had the potential to finish first and second, but the arrival of the Safety Car on lap 14 compromised our chances of achieving this result.
The best starting positions of the year - fifth and eighth - gave the BMW Sauber F1 Team confidence that it could score points today but it left Istanbul empty handed.
The tyre choice for Robert Kubica was the wrong one and the best he could achieve was 12th. Nick Heidfeld was the victim of a first corner incident, which caused him to pit for a new nose, and his race was effectively over so the best he could do was finish 14th.
Ferrari team boss Jean Todt again paid tribute to race winner Felipe Massa. For some months the Frenchman has been championing Massa's cause with the media and following the Brazilian's maiden win on Sunday, Todt was keen to highlight his achievement claiming Massa is a new champion for F1.
Championship leader Fernando Alonso says Michelin and Bridgestone will decide whether he or Michael Schumacher wins this year's crown. Alonso extended his lead over Schumacher to twelve points after this weekend's Turkish Grand Prix.
Sixth win of the season for Ferrari, the first from Felipe Massa. This is win number 189 from 737 races. Felipe took his maiden career win. Michael Schumacher came home in third. 
The best starting positions of the year - fifth and eighth - gave the BMW Sauber F1 Team confidence that it could score points today but it left Istanbul empty handed. 
