Raikkonen confident of endorsing title challenge

Defending drivers' world champion Finn Kimi Raikkonen is confident that he and Ferrari will be competitive again in this weekend's Turkish Grand Prix despite not having tested at the circuit.

As compatriot McLaren-Mercedes new boy Heikki Kovalainen appears set to return to action just two weeks after his high-speed accident at the Circuit de Catalunya during the Spanish Grand Prix, a relaxed Raikkonen believes he can rub in his early advantage in this year's title race.

Both he and his Ferrari team-mate Brazilian Felipe Massa have good feelings about the Istanbul circuit set half an hour's drive from the city centre on the Asian side of the Bosphorous.

"It is a great track and although we have not been there to do any testing I am sure we can be competitive again.

"At this time of the year, it is important to keep scoring points and build up consistency and a decent total of points," said Raikkonen. "That way we can stay ahead of our rivals.

"When you have a look at this year's tracks so far, the one at Istanbul is very similar to the one at Sepang and Sakhir, where we could win. That makes us think that we'll be competitive over the weekend."

Kovalainen left hospital after spending only one night under close observation where he was diagnosed with mild concussion. Providing he passes a mandatory medical test ahead of this weekend's action he will be back to race again in his McLaren.

He said: "I can't wait to get back in the car and race with the team next weekend, but at the end of the day that decision is out of my hands. The FIA will make it based on safety grounds only."

That would mean him lining up again with his team-mate Briton Lewis Hamilton who believes he can improve on last year's result which saw him finish fifth after qualifying second.

Hamilton has said that stability is vital for success in Istanbul. He said: "The balance of the car felt good in Spain - which is key at Istanbul because of the high-speed corners.

"You need to have a stable car through the corners, especially turn eight, to ensure you conserve your tyres and that you are able to carry speed through there. This section of the track is key as you can gain a lot of time."

And while the newcomers and youngsters celebrate their opportunities, one of Formula One's longest-serving drivers Brazilian Rubens Barichello will become the most experienced driver in the sport's history when he starts Sunday's race.

It will be the Honda driver's 257th Grand Prix in a 15-years career that began when he was regarded as the young Sao Paulo-born protégé of Ayrton Senna.

Barrichello will surpass Italian Riccardo Patrese's previous record of 256 Grands Prix. His Honda car will carry a special livery, as will his helmet, as a mark of the occasion.

But while he celebrates his longevity, the field will be reduced by the loss of one team - Super Aguri - to just ten teams. The Japanese team went out of business on Monday and has withdrawn from the championship.