Formula 1 resumes in Turkey

ISTANBUL – Welcome back Formula One. And welcome to a new venue.The Turkish Grand Prix could be the watershed of the F1 season.

With six races remaining, a victory on Sunday by standings leader Fernando Alonso of Renault would be a large step toward bringing the 24-year-old Spaniard his first season title. “I am refreshed after the break, and ready to attack the final races of the year,” said Alonso, who leads McLaren-Mercedes’ Kimi Raikkonen by 26 points, and seven-time series champion Michael Schumacher of Ferrari by 32.After a three-week break, F1 resumes at the sport’s newest venue – the US$150 million (N$ 980 million) Istanbul Park race circuit.The 135 000-seat layout is located about 50 kilometres from the Bosporus – the waterway that bisects Istanbul – on the Asian side of the city.The race could be one of the warmest of the season, though there’s a chance for weekend rain.Combine that with the new Hermann Tilke-designed circuit, and the outcome is hard to figure.Like most of the drivers, Schumacher was getting his first look at the 5,3-kilometre course yesterday.As he checked it out, workers were still putting up signs, planting trees and grass and laying slabs of concrete on the road leading to the racetrack.”I haven’t seen much of it but I know that it’s quite hilly and apparently has long fast turns,” Schumacher said.”And that sounds good for a start.”It’s difficult to know who has the momentum.Raikkonen won the last race three weeks ago in Budapest, his fourth victory of the season and a key triumph as both Renaults failed to score points.- Nampa-AP”I am refreshed after the break, and ready to attack the final races of the year,” said Alonso, who leads McLaren-Mercedes’ Kimi Raikkonen by 26 points, and seven-time series champion Michael Schumacher of Ferrari by 32.After a three-week break, F1 resumes at the sport’s newest venue – the US$150 million (N$ 980 million) Istanbul Park race circuit.The 135 000-seat layout is located about 50 kilometres from the Bosporus – the waterway that bisects Istanbul – on the Asian side of the city.The race could be one of the warmest of the season, though there’s a chance for weekend rain.Combine that with the new Hermann Tilke-designed circuit, and the outcome is hard to figure.Like most of the drivers, Schumacher was getting his first look at the 5,3-kilometre course yesterday.As he checked it out, workers were still putting up signs, planting trees and grass and laying slabs of concrete on the road leading to the racetrack.”I haven’t seen much of it but I know that it’s quite hilly and apparently has long fast turns,” Schumacher said.”And that sounds good for a start.”It’s difficult to know who has the momentum.Raikkonen won the last race three weeks ago in Budapest, his fourth victory of the season and a key triumph as both Renaults failed to score points.- Nampa-AP