KEY POINTS:
ISTANBUL - Double world champion Fernando Alonso intends to celebrate his 100th grand prix on Monday (NZ time) by taking revenge on McLaren team mate Lewis Hamilton in Turkey.
The 26-year-old Spaniard, who lags the Briton by seven points with six rounds remaining, returns to the racetrack after a controversial weekend in Hungary before the August break.
The two drivers were not on speaking terms when they left Budapest, with their championship-leading team fighting fires on all fronts.
McLaren, already battling title rivals Ferrari over spying allegations, were barred from scoring constructors' points while Alonso was stripped of pole position for impeding Hamilton in qualifying.
While Hamilton went on to win, Alonso finished fourth.
Even if efforts have been made to patch up the shattered partnership, with Hamilton since denying any war with Alonso and affirming their 'professional working relationship", the gloves will be off in Istanbul.
Alonso is itching to reassert himself, with his hopes of a third successive title after two with Renault depending on him getting the better of his phenomenal rookie team mate.
"It is always great to have a break and recharge the batteries, but it is fantastic to be getting back out on track in Turkey," the Spaniard said in a team preview.
"I have a solid points total in the drivers' world championship and I am aiming to build on that considerably in Istanbul," he added.
"I have come second in the two years we have raced here previously and I will be aiming to improve on that this time." Hamilton has similar expectations, finishing second at the circuit in the GP2 support series last year after working his way from the back of the field.
"It felt like a win and it would be great to get on the top step this year," he said. "Along with the team, I am very motivated right now."
While Alonso can take the lead if he finishes at least second and Hamilton fails to score, Ferrari have more ground to make up.
Third placed Kimi Raikkonen is 20 points adrift of Hamilton while Brazilian Felipe Massa, who took his first grand prix victory in Turkey last year, is one point further back.
"Istanbul is the first of a series of quick tracks and I think these will suit us particularly well," Massa said on his website (www.felipemassa.com).
"Last year from Turkey onwards I had a great championship, so that is an encouraging sign. In fact I like all the tracks that are coming up now so I hope we end the season in style."
McLaren are 19 points clear of Ferrari, pending two appeals next month into their Hungarian Grand Prix penalty and the spying controversy.
- REUTERS
