Turkish glory for Massa

By Gordon Howard

Istanbul, May 11:Brazilian Felipe Massa swept to a hat-trick of Turkish Grand Prix victories from pole position on Sunday with another domineering display for Ferrari at Istanbul Park.

The Latin American triumphed by 3.7 seconds ahead of McLaren’s British driver Lewis Hamilton with reigning champion Finn Kimi Raikkonen less than half-a-second behind in third in the other Ferrari.

Hamilton pulled off the overtaking move of the race on Massa and denied Ferrari a likely one-two despite adopting a three-stop fuel strategy compared to his rival’s two stopper.

But there was no stopping Massa who controlled the 58-lap race on the 5.338km track which he clearly loves.

Raikkonen’s lead in the championship was cut to seven points with Massa now second, on countback, from last year’s runner-up Hamilton.

Ferrari extended their lead in the Constructors’ championship to 19 points over BMW with McLaren two points further back after Finland’s Heikki Kovalainen paid for an early pit-stop to finish 12th having started second.

The Finn — who suffered a dreadful crash at the Spanish Grand Prix a fortnight ago — suffered an opening lap puncture after a suspected collision with Raikkonen on the opening lap.

Poland’s Robert Kubica was fourth for BMW just ahead of team-mate German Nick Heidfeld with Spain’s two-time champion Fernando Alonso sixth for Renault. Red Bull’s Australian Mark Webber was seventh and German-born Nico Rosberg eighth for Williams. (AFP)