Formula One returns to action next weekend after the three-week summer break with the Turkish Grand Prix at the Istanbul Park Circuit, Round 12 of the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship.
The Honda Racing F1 Team's drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello have been taking advantage of the break to have some well-deserved relaxation time, whilst continuing their training in preparation for what is always a challenging race in very hot conditions.
Back at the factory, work has been continuing on the RA107 car as the team seeks to address its performance issues. Despite no track testing in this period, an intensive programme of development has been underway, with the team keen to return to racing with some improvements.
SHUHEI NAKAMOTO - Senior Technical Director "We have been working very hard at the factory during the three-week break since the Hungarian Grand Prix to analyse the problems that we experienced in that race and to continue developing the car. Everyone at the team was very disappointed with our performance at the Hungaroring and although we recognise the RA107 particularly struggled at this type of high downforce circuit, we are making all possible efforts to improve our current situation. The next race in Turkey is a circuit which should be more suited to our car and we expect to be able to fight more effectively in the midfield. We need to keep looking forward, maintain our motivation and work hard."
JENSON BUTTON"The Turkish Grand Prix has quickly become one of my favourite races on the F1 calendar. The track layout is excellent with a challenging combination of long straights, tight hairpins and the very high-speed turn eight. The changes in elevation also contribute to making it a fun circuit for the drivers. There are some really good overtaking opportunities at turn one and turn three where I gained a place in the race last year. You also have a chance at passing into turns nine and twelve. To get a really quick lap around this circuit, you really need to consciously push hard all the way round and use the track's camber to your full advantage. I have had a couple of great races here in the last two years to finish in the top six, and whilst our performance isn't quite there this year, I am expecting an improvement from the last race."
RUBENS BARRICHELLO"I have been very impressed with the Istanbul circuit over the past two years and we have seen some exciting races there. The track is fairly challenging from a drivers' point of view as it runs anti-clockwise which is quite unusual and physically tough, and also the undulations are quite extreme which can make your lap quite exciting. The highlight for most drivers is the high-speed turn eight where the triple apex makes it really important to get your line right. The break has been good to recharge and get ready for the final stage of the season but I know that work has been continuing at the factory to push the development of the car. I am confident that we will have a better race weekend in Turkey."
ISTANBUL PARK
No of Laps 58 lapsCircuit Length 5.338 kmRace Distance 309.396 km
The Turkish Grand Prix made its Formula One debut in 2005 at an all-new purpose built circuit just outside Istanbul. The 5.338km track was designed by Herman Tilke, the man behind the new circuits in Malaysia, Bahrain and China.
The circuit features fourteen turns - eight lefts and six rights - with plenty of gradient change as the track is built on four different ground levels. An unusual feature is that the lap runs anti-clockwise, joining Interlagos in Brazil as the only circuits currently on the F1 calendar to do so. The circuit provides the drivers with a real challenge, with the cars reaching speeds of up to 330kph along the two main straights.
The facilities at the circuit are as impressive as the race track.Seating capacity at Istanbul Park is 130,000 with 25,000 of those in the main grandstand, and parking is available for 12,000 cars. Dominating the circuit's skyline are two seven-floor towers built at either end of the paddock for VIPs and the media.
HONDA IN TURKEY
* Honda began operating in Turkey in 1992* The factory in Gebze Sekerpinar began operations in 1997 and nowemploys 750 people* The production capacity of the factory is 30,000 units whichwill increase to 50,000 units in October 2007* Honda's market share in Turkey is currently 6.7%* Automotive sales in 2006 were 24,500 including vehicles made inTurkey and exported elsewhere
