• Turkish Grand Prix

Williams drivers looking forward to Istanbul Park

ESPNF1 Staff
May 25, 2010
Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg are upbeat ahead of the Turkish Grand Prix weekend © Sutton Images
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Williams drivers Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg are looking forward to returning to a circuit they both enjoy driving when the F1 action moves to Istanbul Park.

Both drivers endured a difficult weekend in Monaco, Hulkenberg crashing out after damaging his front wing and a loose manhole cover causing Barrichello's spectacular accident.

"Istanbul is a favourite track of mine," said Barrichello ahead of the Turkish Grand Prix weekend. "It has a good layout; the corners all flow nicely into each other and that makes it a smooth lap to drive.

"Because the circuit runs anti-clockwise, the lefthanders can be quite a challenge on your neck muscles but we all do extra training to compensate for that. Personally turn 8, a high speed, triple apexer, is the best part of the track as it's a real test."

Hulkenberg, of whom much was expected this season, is keen to prove his credentials on a circuit he has prior experience of driving in GP2.

"Turkey is a real about turn after Monaco; everything is pretty much the complete opposite," said Hulkenberg. "The track goes in an anti-clockwise direction, it has lots of long straights and quick corners so you can get into a nice rhythm around the lap and there's loads of room! I think at its widest the track reaches about 20m so there should be plenty of opportunities to overtake. The long, ultra-fast turn 8 complex is probably the most challenging part of the lap, for the drivers and the cars, but I'm really looking forward to running it in a Formula One car.

"I have experience of the circuit from my GP2 days and enjoyed racing it then. It's always helpful to have prior knowledge of a track so you aren't going into practice blind so you can just concentrate on set-up straight away. After another frustrating end to a race last weekend in Monaco, I'm keen to have a better weekend in Turkey."

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