Massa looking for passport after Turkish GP hat-trick

May 12, 2008, 0:17 GMT

Brazilian Formula One driver Felipe Massa of Ferrari celebrates on the podium after he won the race at Istanbul Park circuit in Istanbul, Turkey on 11 May 2008. EPA/FELIX HEYDER

Istanbul - Felipe Massa in a Ferrari on Sunday secured a hat-trick of Turkish Grand Prix victories, winning from pole to beat McLaren-Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton into second place.

Third place went to defending world champion Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari, who continues to hold the lead in the drivers' standings.

Massa, whose three previous victories at the 5.338-kilometre-long Istanbul Park were also achieved from pole position, joked afterwards that he should now qualify for a Turkish passport.

'It has been a fantastic race. It was very tough, but to win here for the third time in a row is fantastic. When Hamilton overtook me, I knew that I still had a chance as I had been told that he was on a three-stop strategy and I knew that I could do it.

'Now I am looking forward to the next race in Monte Carlo. We have been gearing the car towards this race, where McLaren was very strong last year, so hopefully we will do well there.'

Massa managed to protect his lead at the start, but Hamilton, who started from third, moved past team-mate Heikki Kovalainen.

Raikkonen also attempted to move up some places, but had to hold back to avoid a collision, allowing Alonso to move into fifth.

A crash between Giancarlo Fisichella and Kazuki Nakajima on the first lap resulted in the safety car coming out and both drivers having to retire.

Kovalainen, who had a slight collision with Raikkonen on the first lap and picked up a puncture, had to come into the pits on the third lap, falling to the back of the pack.

Hamilton soon started putting pressure on Massa and managed to overtake the Brazilian on the 24th lap, but lost the lead as he was the first of the leading cars to pit for a fuel stop.

Raikkonen managed to move into second place behind Massa as the drivers in front of him also had to go into the pits.

Unlike the two Ferraris, Hamilton was on a three-stop strategy and came out sandwiched between Massa and Raikkonen after his final stop.

The three then enjoyed a fairly leisurely drive at the front, without having the speed to challenge each other for places.

Hamilton, who has managed just one victory so far this season, said that he was thrilled with his second-place finish. 'I was a little bit disappointed with the qualifying on Saturday, so to finish second is fantastic.

'Before the race I was hoping for a top-five finish, so to have finished second is just wonderful,' he said.

Behind the three leaders, the two BMW-Saubers of Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld finished in fourth and fifth place respectively, while two-time world champion Fernando Alonso was in sixth place.

The two final points positions went to Mark Webber in a Red Bull and Williams' Nico Rosberg.

Raikkonen continues to lead the drivers' standings with 35 points from Hamilton and Massa, who both have 28.

Raikkonen said that his car had been slightly damaged during the collision with Kovalainen. 'But it was not so bad that I needed to do something.

'I am fairly happy with my position, as the qualifying had not gone so well for me. Now I am looking forward to the next race.'