Everyone seems to be agreed that the Istanbul circuit is one of the best tracks in the current calendar. It has elevation change and the wonderful turn 8, a couple of long straights and at least one spot where it should be possible to overtake. So it is disappointing that the major moment of excitement in the race came when a front tire exploded on Hamilton's car.
Nick Heidfeld
With Kimi Raikkonen admitting again that the race was boring for him, we are left with little option but to agree. Interest came from matters not directly visible in the race, that blown tire creating a tightening of the points gap in the championship that leaves four drivers and two constructors in with realistic chances of the titles. Such a close battle between so many has not been seen for years.
Otherwise, we have to look further down the field to find anything to ponder on. Kubica's early pit stop told us immediately that his speed in qualifying was thanks to a light car and that Nick Heidfeld remains the quicker driver in the BMW team. That may go against current thinking on the matter but, as I have pointed out before, the statistics show that Quick Nick still finishes ahead of his Polish team mate more often than not.
Ignoring the struggle between team mates, BMW's decision to have Kubica on a light fuel load is a strange one. It enabled the Pole to qualify just ahead of Heidfeld but, from a race strategy point of view, it was a very poor decision indeed and probably made the difference between the BMWs finishing fourth and fifth rather than fourth and eighth. So why did they do it? Did they hope that Kubica could get amongst the top two teams on the grid and perhaps hold on to whatever race position resulted? It made sense to use Kubica for such a gamble since he is so far behind Heidfeld in the championship - they were risking little, therefore.
Whatever the plan, it seems that BMW are a good deal more ambitious than Mario Theissen lets on in his public statements. They may profess to be happy with the third spot almost guaranteed them in the constructors' championship this year, but they want more and are determined to break the Ferrari/McLaren stranglehold in 2008.
In the other veteran/newbie battle of the year, it appears that Kovalainen has won and Fisichella's future becomes ever more insecure. Fizzy is reliable and consistent but is no longer as quick as his Finnish team mate and the Flav's attention must be wandering to the other options available to him for the new season. Assuming that the world has not gone completely mad and Alonso will not be one of those options, the spotlight must turn to young Nelsinho Piquet.
The Brazilian has been quite loud in his determination to be in a race seat next year and Kovalainen will provide both a more mature driver, having had this year as experience, and a useful yardstick to Piquet's performance. Briatore is due to announce the 2008 team soon so we will see whether my prediction is true.
No need for me to say anything about Toro Rosso this time - I dislike stating the obvious anyway. But there was a humorous highlight to the weekend, way down amongst the struggling midfielders. When told over the pit/driver radio that Jenson was claiming to be two seconds faster, Rubens Barrichello responded wryly, "Don't make me laugh." And now we know what has enabled the Honda drivers to keep trying throughout such a frustrating season - it's humor.
Finally, let us spare a thought for Mark Webber. It is adding insult to injury that the man who has suffered more mechanical breakdowns than anyone else over the past twelve months should be the only one to retire from the Turkish race. That's consistency, yes, but of a kind that no-one wants.
Nick Heidfeld
With Kimi Raikkonen admitting again that the race was boring for him, we are left with little option but to agree. Interest came from matters not directly visible in the race, that blown tire creating a tightening of the points gap in the championship that leaves four drivers and two constructors in with realistic chances of the titles. Such a close battle between so many has not been seen for years.
Otherwise, we have to look further down the field to find anything to ponder on. Kubica's early pit stop told us immediately that his speed in qualifying was thanks to a light car and that Nick Heidfeld remains the quicker driver in the BMW team. That may go against current thinking on the matter but, as I have pointed out before, the statistics show that Quick Nick still finishes ahead of his Polish team mate more often than not.
Ignoring the struggle between team mates, BMW's decision to have Kubica on a light fuel load is a strange one. It enabled the Pole to qualify just ahead of Heidfeld but, from a race strategy point of view, it was a very poor decision indeed and probably made the difference between the BMWs finishing fourth and fifth rather than fourth and eighth. So why did they do it? Did they hope that Kubica could get amongst the top two teams on the grid and perhaps hold on to whatever race position resulted? It made sense to use Kubica for such a gamble since he is so far behind Heidfeld in the championship - they were risking little, therefore.
Whatever the plan, it seems that BMW are a good deal more ambitious than Mario Theissen lets on in his public statements. They may profess to be happy with the third spot almost guaranteed them in the constructors' championship this year, but they want more and are determined to break the Ferrari/McLaren stranglehold in 2008.
In the other veteran/newbie battle of the year, it appears that Kovalainen has won and Fisichella's future becomes ever more insecure. Fizzy is reliable and consistent but is no longer as quick as his Finnish team mate and the Flav's attention must be wandering to the other options available to him for the new season. Assuming that the world has not gone completely mad and Alonso will not be one of those options, the spotlight must turn to young Nelsinho Piquet.
The Brazilian has been quite loud in his determination to be in a race seat next year and Kovalainen will provide both a more mature driver, having had this year as experience, and a useful yardstick to Piquet's performance. Briatore is due to announce the 2008 team soon so we will see whether my prediction is true.
No need for me to say anything about Toro Rosso this time - I dislike stating the obvious anyway. But there was a humorous highlight to the weekend, way down amongst the struggling midfielders. When told over the pit/driver radio that Jenson was claiming to be two seconds faster, Rubens Barrichello responded wryly, "Don't make me laugh." And now we know what has enabled the Honda drivers to keep trying throughout such a frustrating season - it's humor.
Finally, let us spare a thought for Mark Webber. It is adding insult to injury that the man who has suffered more mechanical breakdowns than anyone else over the past twelve months should be the only one to retire from the Turkish race. That's consistency, yes, but of a kind that no-one wants.