The spectacular Istanbul Park track, close to the Turkish capital, will this weekend be the scene of the second date for Racing Engineering with the 2008 GP2 series.
After the positive beginning to the championship less than two weeks ago at Montmeló, with a podium, a fourth and a sixth place it was a really positive result for the two drivers of the Spanish team, Giorgio Pantano and Javier Villa. The race this weekend, part of the Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix meeting, is a new chance to see the two Repsol and Telefónica liveried Dallaras of Racing Engineering racing in the top places.
The circuit of Istanbul Park belongs to the new generation of tracks that have become part of the premier motorsport categories in recent seasons and is, probably, the one with most personality and differing features of them all. Just the unique configuration of its already famous 'turn eight', with four apexes taken at continuously increasing speed, would be enough to make the Turkish track special. However, in addition, the series of elevation changes, with continuous up and downs and blind corners, explain why the Turkish Grand Prix venue is one of the biggest challenges to be faced by drivers and teams throughout the 2008 GP2 season.
To find the right compromise between the required downforce to have an effective car in the fast corners while, at the same time, not losing high end speed on the long straights that precede the two slowest corners, the best overtaking spots, will be the main aim for Racing Engineering's technical staff and drivers from the start of Friday's free practice.
After the good showing at Montmeló, both Giorgio and Javier go to Istanbul convinced that they are in a position to fight for the top places from the start. The two drivers showed their speed on the Catalonian track, proving the positive impressions from the preseason tests were correct, and the two cars were always among the fastest throughout the weekend thanks to the good work of the whole team. In Turkey the target for Racing Engineering is to continue with this performance so that Javi and Giorgio can put the two cars, backed by Telefónica and Repsol, in the top places.
