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Massa and Button Seek F1 Records in Turkey

Ferrari's Felipe Massa will be looking for a place in Formula One's history books two weekends from now, as he aims to become only the 4th F1 driver to win 4 consecutive races on the same venue. The Brazilian driver has clinched every Turkish Grand Prix since 2006 (included), while also starting the Istanbul race from pole position every time.

Only three drivers in the history of the sport have so far managed to win that many consecutive races on one particular track: Crown of Motorsport winner Graham Hill, 5-time F1 champion Juan Manuel Fangio and 7-time world champion Michael Schumacher. Massa is no world champion yet, but his performances in Turkey are surely as impressive.

It is a fantastic track for me, a very pleasurable track for me to drive, like the big turn eight, very challenging,” said Massa, when referring to the Istanbul track.

Considering the Ferrari F60's latest growth in performance – podium finish in Monaco – Massa may very well have a shot at winning the race ahead of championship favorites Brawn GP. If he indeed manages to pull it off, he'll then trail fellow countryman and 3-time F1 champion Ayrton Senna as the only driver to have won 5 consecutive races on the same track (Monaco, from 1989 to 1993).

Massa has to win two more races in Istanbul in order to match Senna's performance. Winning more than 5 in Turkey might be out of his reach through, as the Turkish officials announced they'll likely to withdraw from the F1 calendar from 2011 onwards.

Another driver aiming to snatch a record of his own in Turkey will be championship leader Jenson Button, who'll be aiming at scoring his 6th win out of the first 7 races and therefore equal Michael Schumacher's incredible start of the season in 2002.
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