Willy Rampf (Technical Director): “Turkey represents another new track for Formula One, but by the time we arrive there we will already be quite familiar with it. We use the official map of the circuit in conjunction with our simulation programmes. This enables us to run a basic car model in order to evaluate different parameters such as downforce levels and mechanical grip. The optimum downforce level will depend on the track layout and the grip. I think Turkey will be high downforce. We also know it will be very hot, so we will be maximising our cooling and have taken steps to rectify the problem of high temperatures beneath the engine covers that affected the spark coils in Hungary.

He adds, “Once the aerodynamic configuration of the car is defined, we use the simulation models to further optimise the mechanical set-up, define the gear ratios and evaluate the brake energy dissipation. This allows us to make the best choice of brake materials and the required brake cooling. We know from past experience that our simulation programmes are accurate to within one per cent. The biggest unknown factor is the grip level of the track. Even though we liase closely with Michelin, who have already visited the track to assess its surface, the one thing we cannot predict completely until we run the cars there is the actual level of grip of the surface.”

Jacques Villeneuve (145 GPs, 6 Points 2005): “I can’t really say much about the circuit in Turkey because I’ve never been there. However, it’s always very exciting to go racing in a new country. Jenson, who visited the track earlier this year, told me that the layout of the track is absolutely fantastic so I am really looking forward to trying it out. The weather should be really hot but during the break I have been training for these conditions so I am not too worried about that. I think that we should be able to do well in this race, especially as nobody has run here before.

“I also hope that I will be able to find a moment to visit the city because I keep hearing that the place is buzzing.”

Felipe Massa (46 GPs, 8 points 2005): “I’m looking forward to racing in Turkey, because I have already won there in the SAUBER PETRONAS C24. I did the race simulation on my Play Station, and I won! And I did on the difficult level, against all the other championship runners!

Massa adds, “From what I have seen I think the track layout is not too bad and usually these computer games are very accurate in the way they depict the circuits. There are some quick corners, elevation changes and long straights – it’s a bit like the latest Nurburgring with a long back straight with a quick corner in the middle. For sure it will be extremely hot there so it will be a difficult race for everyone, but we have improved the balance of our car in fast corners a lot lately and I am really looking forward to see how well the track suits the C24 in real life!”