2006 Turkish Grand Prix

Infobox Grand Prix race report
Type = F1
Country = Turkey
Grand Prix = Turkish
Date = 27 August
Year = 2006

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Caption = The Istanbul Park Circuit
Race_No = 14
Season_No = 18
Official name = II Petrol Ofisi Turkish Grand Prix
Location = Istanbul Racing Circuit, Istanbul, Turkey
Course = Permanent racing facility
Course_mi = 3.32
Course_km = 5.34
Distance_laps = 58
Distance_mi = 192.56
Distance_km = 309.72
Weather = Sunny, hot
Pole_Driver = Felipe Massa
Pole_Team = Ferrari
Pole_Time = 1:26.907
Pole_Country = Brazil
Fast_Driver = Michael Schumacher
Fast_Team = Ferrari
Fast_Time = 1:28.005
Fast_L

Fast_Country = Germany
First_Driver = Felipe Massa
First_Team = Ferrari
First_Country = Brazil
Second_Driver = Fernando Alonso
Second_Team = Renault
Second_Country= Spain
Third_Driver = Michael Schumacher
Third_Team = Ferrari
Third_Country = GermanyThe 2006 Turkish Grand Prix was the fourteenth race of the 2006 Formula One season. It was held on 25 August–27 August at Istanbul Park, Istanbul.

The race marked the first pole position for Ferrari driver Felipe Massa.

The start of the race was affected by a multi-car accident entering the first corner. Massa, Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella all battled for position entering the first corner, but Fisichella (in fourth place) spun, causing a chain reaction behind him.

During the chain reaction, Scott Speed collided with the McLaren of Kimi Räikkönen, causing a puncture to one of Räikkönen's rear tires. Räikkönen pitted for a new tire, but he had another rear tire issue, due to damaged bodywork affecting his rear tires, the next lap that sent him straight off the outside of turn 4 and into a barrier.

Nick Heidfeld, Fisichella and Scott Speed all needed repairs from the incident, as did Ralf Schumacher and the Midland of Tiago Monteiro, who retired.

At lap 13, Vitantonio Liuzzi, who had climbed to seventh place in the first corner chaos but was dropping back, lost control entering the first turn and spun, stalling the engine. The car was left stranded on the racing line at the exit of the corner, and the Safety Car was deployed. Massa, Michael Schumacher, Alonso, Jenson Button, Robert Kubica and Mark Webber all came in to make pit stops whilst the Safety Car circulated. The first four drivers stayed at the front, but Webber and Kubica dropped to near the back of the pack. Alonso, however, was able to jump Schumacher, as his title rival was forced to 'stack' behind Massa before the mechanics could set to work on his car.

The final 15 laps of the race were focused on Alonso and Michael Schumacher, who fought for second place as part of their championship battle. Schumacher pursued Alonso for the last laps, but was unable to catch Alonso until the final corners of the final lap. Schumacher was right on the gearbox of Alonso exiting the last corner, but did not get past.

The winner of the race was Ferrari driver Felipe Massa. This was Massa's first career Formula One victory, making it the second Formula One race in a row with a first-time winner (following Jenson Button's first win, at Hungary three weeks earlier). The previous time this has happened was in 2003, when the Malaysian Grand Prix was won by Kimi Räikkönen and the following race, the Brazilian Grand Prix was won by Giancarlo Fisichella.

Podium display becomes international political incident

The podium display after the race caused a controversy, when winner Felipe Massa received the trophy from Mehmet Ali Talat, who was referred to as the "President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus." This breakaway area of the island of Cyprus is only recognized by Turkey. The government of the Republic of Cyprus filed an official complaint with the FIA, the body governing the Formula One world championship. After investigating the incident, the FIA fined the organizers of the Grand Prix $5 million on September 19, 2006. [ [http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns17474.html F1 News > Turks fined only $5m ] ]

Friday Drivers

tandings after the race

Note, only the top five positions are included for both sets of standings.;Drivers' Championship standings;Constructors' Championship standings

References

External links

* [http://www.manipef1.com/results/2006/turkey.php Detailed Turkish Grand Prix results]

F1 race report
Name_of_race = Turkish Grand Prix
Year_of_race = 2006
Previous_race_in_season = 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix
Next_race_in_season = 2006 Italian Grand Prix
Previous_year's_race = 2005 Turkish Grand Prix
Next_year's_race = 2007 Turkish Grand Prix