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Felipe Massa recalls his three Istanbul Park wins with Formula 1 fans
Felipe Massa shared memories of the three races he won with Ferrari at Istanbul Park during the F1 Movie Night event held at the Istanbul Atatürk Cultural Center Open-Air Venue. Massa said his lawsuit alleging that he was deprived of the 2008 Formula 1 world championship because of manipulation at the Singapore Grand Prix is still ongoing.
Felipe Massa met Formula 1 fans at the "F1 Movie Night" event held at the Istanbul Atatürk Cultural Center Open-Air Venue. The former Brazilian driver, who came to Istanbul at the invitation of the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, visited the city’s historical and tourist sites before the event.
Massa won three consecutive races at Istanbul Park with Ferrari in 2006, 2007 and 2008, earning the nickname "King of Istanbul" for these achievements. Massa said he loved Türkiye and Istanbul and was happy to return to the city after a long absence.
Memories of Istanbul Park
Massa, who secured three of his 11 career race wins in Istanbul, said winning three consecutive times at Istanbul Park held special significance for him. Saying that he viewed the circuit as more than a racing venue and almost as part of his home, Massa described his victories over major rivals as a unique experience.
Massa recalled that a bird defecated on him while he was walking in Brazil about a week before the 2006 race, and that a friend interpreted it as a sign that he would win the race. The Brazilian driver said he won the race in Türkiye a week later and then finished first twice more.
Massa said Istanbul Park combines high- and low-speed corners, elevation changes and varied driving characteristics. He noted that drivers are exposed to high G-forces, particularly at Turn 8, and said success in such corners depends on finding the right balance.
Assessment of the Istanbul Grand Prix
Asked about the announcement that the Istanbul Grand Prix would return to the Formula 1 calendar for five seasons from October 1 to 3, 2027, Massa said Istanbul had a great circuit that should definitely be part of Formula 1.
Massa compared Istanbul Park with the high-speed corners at Silverstone and Suzuka. He said the circuit’s characteristics suited drivers such as Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton, and expressed his view that the race would be enjoyable because of the interest shown by fans in Türkiye.
He said his record could be broken
Massa said his record of consecutive wins at Istanbul Park could one day be broken, adding that records exist to be broken. Saying that Kimi Antonelli had achieved very good results for his age, Massa said he believed that Antonelli, as well as Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, could surpass his record of wins in Istanbul.
Assessment of Mercedes and Ferrari
Asked which team he would choose if he returned to Formula 1, Massa said he would base his decision on performance. Saying that the best car and team should be chosen, Massa said he viewed Mercedes as having a strong chance of winning and that Antonelli was a factor in this assessment.
Massa said Ferrari held a special place in his heart. Noting that those who race for Ferrari see the team as a family, Massa said he hoped the team, which had not won a championship for a long time, would claim the title again in the races ahead.
Legal proceedings over the 2008 championship
Massa alleged that he lost the 2008 Formula 1 world championship because of the "Crashgate" scandal at the Singapore Grand Prix. Saying that his lawsuit against the FIA, Formula 1 management and former Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone was ongoing, Massa described what happened in Singapore as manipulation contrary to sportsmanship.
Massa said there were still people who believed his championship had been stolen, and noted that his reason for filing the lawsuit was not solely his own championship. The Brazilian driver argued that the faith in the sport of children who dream of winning Formula 1 had also been damaged.
Teammate of Michael Schumacher
Felipe Massa also discussed being teammates at Ferrari with seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. Massa said Schumacher was not only a teammate but also a master and teacher to him, and described racing and winning alongside the German driver as among the finest experiences of his career.
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