Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa from Ferrari said on Thursday that Istanbul Park is a special circuit for him because he got his first pole position and his first win in this Turkish largest city, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.

 

Massa, last year's winner of Turkish Grand Prix, made the remarks at a joint press conference at Istanbul Park with Renault's Heikki Kovalainen, BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfield and David Coulthard from Red Bull.

 

"I love this country and this city very much and I believe we will have a wonderful race and win again on Sunday," he was quoted as saying.

 

"I have lots of good memories here and I love this circuit," Kovalainen said, adding that he wanted to race again for Renault in 2008.

 

BMW Sauber's Heidfeld sounded optimistic for the race, saying, "We will do here whatever we can but the circuit is tough and drivers need to be very careful."

 

Coulthard also said that the circuit was a very difficult one.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 24, 2007)