Felipe Massa is hoping to complete a hat-trick of victories in the Turkish Grand Prix, boosting his and Ferrari's title aspirations
Brazilian pushing hard for third Istanbul win
Felipe Massa is hoping to complete a hat-trick of victories in Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix and, in the process, boost both his own and Ferrari's title aspirations.
With team-mate Kimi Raikkonen making a strong start to the season - the World Champion claiming two wins and a second place from four races - the Brazilian's early progress has been erratic.
Like Raikkonen, Massa retired from the season-opening Australian Grand Prix with an engine failure but had already spun at the first corner and then collided with Red Bull's David Coulthard.
Questions were being asked about Massa's future at the Scuderia when he spun out of second place in Malaysia, but he then issued a riposte to the critics by winning in Bahrain.
A second place behind Raikkonen in the Spanish Grand Prix a fortnight ago places Massa fourth in the Drivers' Championship, with the 27-year-old hoping that this week's visit to the Istanbul Park circuit will boost him yet further.
Massa scored his first grand prix win in Turkey two years ago before leading home Raikkonen in a Ferrari one-two last August - his affinity for the track showing immediately on Friday morning with the quickest time set in opening practice.
And, after going third quickest in the afternoon's second session, Massa readily admitted his ambitions for the weekend, saying: "I've had a fantastic race here for the last two years.
"Two years ago on this track I enjoyed my first victory in Formula One, so it is a very special place for me.
"Last year I repeated the victory, so hopefully now I can have a third one. It would be fantastic, and I will push hard for it.
"So there is no need to hide my plans for the weekend. I want to achieve a trio of victories here in Turkey.
"I can't explain why I have done well here, but I love this track and why wouldn't I as I have won here for the past two years."
Two-way fight?
With nearest rivals McLaren Mercedes and BMW Sauber clearly not achieving Ferrari's pace as yet, there already seems a possibility that the season could boil down to a fight between Massa and Raikkonen.
However, Massa himself remains circumspect, pointing out that all manner of factors could come into play over the balance of the season.
"With regard to the title, if Ferrari keep on winning, it could be very close between me and Kimi," he added.
"The last three races have gone very well for Ferrari, but we know things can change very quickly in this sport.
"Lots of things can happen; a driver can have bad luck or there can be technical difficulties and it could be there are unusual circumstances that mean one of us finishes outside the points.
"It's still a long championship, so who knows? We have to push as hard as we can every day until the very end.
"All the same, the car is going very well at the moment and we have every chance of winning here if we concentrate hard all weekend."
