Massa completes Turkish GP hat-trick

Brazilian Felipe Massa swept to a hat-trick of Turkish Grand Prix victories from pole position overnight with another domineering display for Ferrari at Istanbul Park.

The Latin American triumphed by 3.7 seconds ahead of McLaren's British driver Lewis Hamilton, with reigning champion Finn Kimi Raikkonen less than half-a-second behind in third in the other Ferrari.

Meanwhile Australia's Red Bull driver Mark Webber finished seventh ahead of German Nico Rosberg.

Hamilton pulled off the overtaking move of the race on Massa and denied Ferrari a likely one-two despite adopting a three-stop fuel strategy compared to his rival's two.

But there was no stopping Massa who controlled the 58-lap race on the 5.338-kilometre track which he clearly loves.

Raikkonen's lead in the championship was cut to seven points with Massa now second, on countback, from last year's runner-up Hamilton.

Ferrari extended their lead in the Constructors' championship to 19 points over BMW with McLaren two points further back after Finland's Heikki Kovalainen paid for an early pit-stop to finish 12th having started second.

The Finn - who suffered a dreadful crash at the Spanish Grand Prix a fortnight ago - suffered an opening lap puncture after a suspected collision with Raikkonen on the opening lap.

Poland's Robert Kubica was fourth for BMW just ahead of team-mate German Nick Heidfeld with Spain's two-time champion Fernando Alonso sixth for Renault.

There was no points finish for Brazil's Rubens Barrichello in his record-breaking 257th appearance as he finished 14th for Honda.

-AFP