Fernando Alonso is refreshed and ready to step up his championship challenge as Formula One heads to Turkey this weekend.
The 26-year-old Spaniard has been relaxing on holiday since the pit-lane controversy in Hungary three weeks ago and he is in optimistic mood going into his 100th grand prix.
”It is always great to have a break and re-charge the batteries, but it is fantastic to be getting back out on track in Turkey,” he said.
”I have a solid points total in the drivers’ world championship and I am aiming to build on that considerably in Istanbul.”
Alonso is now seven points adrift of his McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton after the rookie Briton’s win in Budapest.
Hamilton took full advantage when Alonso was penalised five grid positions for a qualifying incident between the pair at the Hungaroring.
For a time it looked like open-warfare had broken out inside the British outfit with the drivers seemingly at each other’s throats and team boss Ron Dennis struggling to keep control.
But as is often the case in such situations, a few weeks apart seems to have taken some of the sting out of the feud and Alonso is looking to keep the drama on the track in Istanbul.
”My focus is on this grand prix and getting the best result possible in Turkey,” said the double world champion.
”I have come second in the two years we have raced here previously and I will be aiming to improve on that this time. The track is one of the fastest on the calendar, great to drive, with some sections that are really on the limit.”
Hamilton is also keenly anticipating his return to Istanbul and the track where he delivered a sensational drive on his way to the GP2 championship last year.
After an early spin, Hamilton picked his way through the field, eventually claiming a second place finish that felt like a win.
”It is an amazing track to drive, with so many different challenges, and overtaking is possible,” he said.
”It is a very physically demanding circuit, the heat places a big demand on the drivers. But during the short summer break I have been keeping up with my training to ensure I am fully prepared for it.
”Along with the team, I am very motivated right now. There are six races remaining and I am looking forward to the challenge.”
As ever, standing between the McLaren men and total domination of the race are the Ferrari pair Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa.
Raikkonen is 20 points behind Hamilton in the championship and the Finn accepts that he may need to take some chances this weekend to earn the win he so badly needs.
”We have to give our best and hope that those who are ahead of us have slight problems,” he said. ”I don’t have much to lose, so I can risk more than my colleagues at McLaren.”
Massa, currently fourth in the championship, is also prepared for an assault on the McLaren pair.
The Brazilian is looking to repeat his win in Turkey last year and in doing so, kick-start a late title push.
”I love the track and the city and I really hope to repeat the great result from last year, when I was very strong all weekend, starting from pole position and winning on Sunday,” said Massa.
”Last year, from Turkey onwards I had a great championship, so that is an encouraging sign. In fact, I like the all the tracks that are coming up now, so I hope we end the season in style.” — Sapa-AFP