The Turkish Grand Prix
Turkey's unique location between Europe and Asia has produced a confused country. Several great European civilisations have had a significant bearing on Turkish history for centuries. Turkey was home to the great Ottoman empire that lasted from the thirteenth to the twentieth century. Notwithstanding its location, Turkey desperately wants to be considered European, not Eurasian. It may be a member of Western institutions like the OECD and NATO but it has thus far been denied the ultimate prize, the Holy Grail of modern Europeanness: membership of the European Union.
The trouble is simply this: while Turkey may profess itself to be unabashedly secular, its population is predominantly Islamic. Two of the founding members of the EU, the proud French and the box-ticking Germans, believe that the EU represents more than just money; it is also about joint cultural traditions (pure tribalism, in other words). Nobody says this too loudly but the French gag on their camembert and the Germans on their bratwurst at the thought that the largest member of the EU could potentially be a state filled with, er, quasi-Arabs. "We are nothing like our neighbours to the east," cry the Turks. But their cries have fallen on deaf ears for a long time. So, some bright spark had a great idea a few years ago. "I know," he said, "what the Europeans seem to equate with civilisation is motor racing, particularly Formula 1. Let's host a Grand Prix then! What can be more European than that?"
There was a timing problem, though. The Turks had been beaten in the race to host the first ever Islamic Grand Prix by first, the Malaysians and second, the Bahrainis. "Too bad," they said to themselves, "we'll do a better job!" And so they did. The first Turkish Grand Prix was fabulous. After taking a bashing for producing crap circuits, German architect, Hermann Tilke, placed an ice-pack on his head and drew up a true humdinger of a racing circuit. The Istanbul Park Circuit is truly magnificent. Before the race last year I was sniffy about the Turkish Grand Prix. I was convinced that it was going to be another Bahrain. I could not have been more wrong. Tilke followed the lay of the land and produced a unique track with an unusual mix of hills, straights and challenging corners. There are plenty of overtaking opportunities and very wide run-off areas. This is a great race track. Like Imola and Interlagos, Istanbul is anticlockwise - which presents its own challenges.
If there is a corner on a racing circuit which is revered by one and all it is Eau Rouge at Spa (the world's greatest racing circuit bar none). I never ever thought I would see myself write this but I have no choice. For, friends, there is now a corner that is the equal of Eau Rouge. It is at the Istanbul Park Circuit. The corner is yet to be baptised and is for now simply described as "Turn 8". It is actually 4 corners joined together and takes at least 4 seconds to negotiate. Push too hard at Turn 8 and you are done for. I will never forget the sight of Chipo leaping off her seat with an almighty shriek during last year's Turkish Grand Prix when, with only two laps to go, Juan Pablo Montoya spectacularly lost it at Turn 8. He recovered and finished the race but lost second place and a McLaren one-two because Fernando Alonso was able to capitalise on his error and nick second place. Keep your eyes peeled for Turn 8; it is guaranteed to produce some excitement.
I am having difficulty predicting the outcome of this weekend's race. With only one race ever having been run in Istanbul there is no set of race comparisons to look at. I am not sure which is the ultimate tyre and chassis package. Ferrari performed dismally in Istanbul last year but then last year was probably Ferrari and Bridgestone's worst year in a decade. Renault and Michelin's form in Hungary was impressive despite Alonso's retirement, so it may be the case that the performance deficit to Ferrari of the previous three races has been sorted. I simply do not know. Both championship contenders are trying to psyche each other out. Michael Schumacher says that Ferrari are on top form and will give the entire field a bashing this weekend. Fernando Alonso thinks this is bollocks because Renault are back with a vengeance. Who to believe, eh?
Fernando Alonso wants to win in Turkey for more than just the championship points. If Michael Schumacher intends to retire at the end of this season, losing the Turkish Grand Prix to Alonso would mean that it will be one trophy he never obtained. Winning at every circuit is important to this ludicrously competitive fellow. The current calendar contains two races where the top step of the podium is still virgin territory for the seven times world champion: Turkey and China.
If last year is anything to go by, McLaren may deny both world champions the big trophy on Sunday. Kimi Raikkonen, energised after three weeks of whooping it up and slipping folded Euro notes into the elastic of various honeys' knickers, is raring to produce a repeat of last year's electrifying performance. Meanwhile, Pedro de la Rosa is desperate to notch up a healthy tally of points with which to end the season.
A word about the winner of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Jenson Button. Don't expect a repeat performance unless something goes horribly wrong for the big players. Button may have what it takes but Honda are nowhere near where they ought to be if they are going to get close to Ferrari, Renault or McLaren.
It should be an exciting race. Apparently there is a Turkish beer called Efes Pilsen which is supposed to be rather good, but I am taking Roger's advice and laying off the foreign muck (yes, I did get the phone call!). I will permit myself some shish kebab, though, and wash it down with something decent. I hope that you too will,
Enjoy Turkey!
Gitau
23 August 2006
The trouble is simply this: while Turkey may profess itself to be unabashedly secular, its population is predominantly Islamic. Two of the founding members of the EU, the proud French and the box-ticking Germans, believe that the EU represents more than just money; it is also about joint cultural traditions (pure tribalism, in other words). Nobody says this too loudly but the French gag on their camembert and the Germans on their bratwurst at the thought that the largest member of the EU could potentially be a state filled with, er, quasi-Arabs. "We are nothing like our neighbours to the east," cry the Turks. But their cries have fallen on deaf ears for a long time. So, some bright spark had a great idea a few years ago. "I know," he said, "what the Europeans seem to equate with civilisation is motor racing, particularly Formula 1. Let's host a Grand Prix then! What can be more European than that?"
There was a timing problem, though. The Turks had been beaten in the race to host the first ever Islamic Grand Prix by first, the Malaysians and second, the Bahrainis. "Too bad," they said to themselves, "we'll do a better job!" And so they did. The first Turkish Grand Prix was fabulous. After taking a bashing for producing crap circuits, German architect, Hermann Tilke, placed an ice-pack on his head and drew up a true humdinger of a racing circuit. The Istanbul Park Circuit is truly magnificent. Before the race last year I was sniffy about the Turkish Grand Prix. I was convinced that it was going to be another Bahrain. I could not have been more wrong. Tilke followed the lay of the land and produced a unique track with an unusual mix of hills, straights and challenging corners. There are plenty of overtaking opportunities and very wide run-off areas. This is a great race track. Like Imola and Interlagos, Istanbul is anticlockwise - which presents its own challenges.
If there is a corner on a racing circuit which is revered by one and all it is Eau Rouge at Spa (the world's greatest racing circuit bar none). I never ever thought I would see myself write this but I have no choice. For, friends, there is now a corner that is the equal of Eau Rouge. It is at the Istanbul Park Circuit. The corner is yet to be baptised and is for now simply described as "Turn 8". It is actually 4 corners joined together and takes at least 4 seconds to negotiate. Push too hard at Turn 8 and you are done for. I will never forget the sight of Chipo leaping off her seat with an almighty shriek during last year's Turkish Grand Prix when, with only two laps to go, Juan Pablo Montoya spectacularly lost it at Turn 8. He recovered and finished the race but lost second place and a McLaren one-two because Fernando Alonso was able to capitalise on his error and nick second place. Keep your eyes peeled for Turn 8; it is guaranteed to produce some excitement.
I am having difficulty predicting the outcome of this weekend's race. With only one race ever having been run in Istanbul there is no set of race comparisons to look at. I am not sure which is the ultimate tyre and chassis package. Ferrari performed dismally in Istanbul last year but then last year was probably Ferrari and Bridgestone's worst year in a decade. Renault and Michelin's form in Hungary was impressive despite Alonso's retirement, so it may be the case that the performance deficit to Ferrari of the previous three races has been sorted. I simply do not know. Both championship contenders are trying to psyche each other out. Michael Schumacher says that Ferrari are on top form and will give the entire field a bashing this weekend. Fernando Alonso thinks this is bollocks because Renault are back with a vengeance. Who to believe, eh?
Fernando Alonso wants to win in Turkey for more than just the championship points. If Michael Schumacher intends to retire at the end of this season, losing the Turkish Grand Prix to Alonso would mean that it will be one trophy he never obtained. Winning at every circuit is important to this ludicrously competitive fellow. The current calendar contains two races where the top step of the podium is still virgin territory for the seven times world champion: Turkey and China.
If last year is anything to go by, McLaren may deny both world champions the big trophy on Sunday. Kimi Raikkonen, energised after three weeks of whooping it up and slipping folded Euro notes into the elastic of various honeys' knickers, is raring to produce a repeat of last year's electrifying performance. Meanwhile, Pedro de la Rosa is desperate to notch up a healthy tally of points with which to end the season.
A word about the winner of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Jenson Button. Don't expect a repeat performance unless something goes horribly wrong for the big players. Button may have what it takes but Honda are nowhere near where they ought to be if they are going to get close to Ferrari, Renault or McLaren.
It should be an exciting race. Apparently there is a Turkish beer called Efes Pilsen which is supposed to be rather good, but I am taking Roger's advice and laying off the foreign muck (yes, I did get the phone call!). I will permit myself some shish kebab, though, and wash it down with something decent. I hope that you too will,
Enjoy Turkey!
Gitau
23 August 2006
posted by Gitau at 12:17 pm
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