"Obviously we have followed the Formula One race very closely", says Charly Lamm (GER), Team Manager of BMW Team Deutschland - Schnitzer Motorsport. "We are looking forward to a new country and a new circuit on the calendar. The track resembles a roller-coaster, with long straights and a challenging mixture of corners. Therefore, not only engine power but also a perfect car set-up is crucial. Normally, these requirements should suit us well. However, Istanbul will be the first event where all BMW drivers carry handicap weight."

Alessandro Zanardi (ITA) of BMW Team Italy-Spain is likely to be the centre of the Turkish motorsport enthusiasts' attention. At Oschersleben, the 38-year-old celebrated his first ever World Championship victory since his terrible accident back in 2001. This achievement earned him the much-deserved respect of motorsport fans, experts and fellow race drivers around the world. Nevertheless, with this victory also came a small downer as Zanardi will head to Istanbul with a 25-kilogram weight handicap on his BMW 320i. Furthermore, the former F1 driver comes to Turkey as new Italian Touring Car Champion. On Sunday, he claimed two victories at the Superturismo Championship's penultimate race meeting at Varano, thus securing the title.