Turkish GP: McLaren Must Avoid Major Mistakes

The British team McLaren must bounce back after their Monaco weekend. Indeed, drivers Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen were unable to do anything during the race two weeks ago. A retirement for the Finn and a 20th place on the grid that was impossible to climb for the Englishman.

In Turkey, things will have to be different because the Woking team is lacking points. A good tire strategy will provide strong support to McLaren.

Lewis Hamilton – Race Car Driver

« I love the races in Turkey: It’s a real challenge because you need to set a good time but you also have to be careful with your tires if you push too hard, especially at turn 8. It’s about finding the perfect balance during practice and being disciplined in the race. »

« I also love the fact that it is a new circuit that has really captured the flavor of some of the older tracks. It’s fantastic to drive. Moreover, since it runs counterclockwise, your neck needs a bit of training. »

Heikki Kovalainen – Racing Driver:

« Turkey is symbolized by Turn 8. It is also very important to take care of the tires. There will be a lot of load on the tires. The best place to overtake here is Turn 12. With KERS, we hope to see an exciting race. »

Martin Whitmarsh – Team Principal:

« The Istanbul Park circuit is one of the most challenging circuits for teams and drivers. First of all, it’s a real challenge for setup. You need to find a balance between high-speed and slower corners. Additionally, tire wear must be taken into account in the overall strategy. »

« For the drivers, it’s a real challenge. We are going to Turkey with characteristics on the single-seater that are a little less likely to suit our Monaco package, but we are improving all the time. There will be minor updates for the MP4-24, and we will be watching the competitiveness of our competitors. »