• Turkish Grand Prix

De la Rosa desperate to finish

Both Saubers were forced to retire in Monaco © Sutton Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Race:
• Turkish Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Kamui Kobayashi
• |
• Pedro de la Rosa

• Teams:
• Alfa Romeo

Pedro de la Rosa says he is 'desperate' to finish the Turkish Grand Prix after enduring a frustrating season that has seen him finish only one race so far.

The likeable Spaniard has suffered car failures in five out of six races, his latest retirement coming at Monaco last weekend.

"I think Istanbul Park is a track where we should be able to regain the competiveness we showed in Barcelona, therefore I'm very much looking forward to the Turkish Grand Prix," said de la Rosa.

"I like the circuit. The last time I raced there was in 2006 and I finished fifth. Certainly the most challenging corner is turn eight - it is the longest high speed corner of the championship. With G-Forces of approximately four g for a period of six seconds on each lap this turn is pretty demanding for the tyres and the neck. Again, I desperately want to finish a race."

Team-mate Kamui Kobayashi, who also suffered a disappointing weekend in Monaco, is also hoping for an upturn in fortune in Turkey.

"We learned another lesson in the last race in Monaco," said Kobayashi. "But before that in Barcelona we had a really positive feeling for the improvement of the car, and I hope we can carry on from there. Istanbul Park is a nice track and it should suit our car, especially because it has both high and medium speed corners. The slower parts in the last sector should not be too much of a disadvantage. We have to remain confident and work hard."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.