Kubica aims to end poor run in Turkey

The BMW Sauber driver finished in 12th place in his first race in Turkey after suffering from tyre problems, something that hindered him again a year later, when tyre graining saw him drop to eighth position after having qualified in fifth.

"Turkey is not really a favourite track for me and not one where I have been lucky," Kubica told a news conference in Istanbul.

"In 2006, in my second race in F1, we had some problems with the tyres, and last year we started pretty well and then faced some graining problems.

"This year's car is easier to drive and to perform better so I hope it turns out in a different way," added the Pole, who has finished second, third and fourth in the last three races to move into third place in the standings.

Kubica hasn't qualified outside the top four this season, and he reckons it will be important to do well again due to the highly competitive field.

"I think it depends where you look and how much fuel you get," he said. "In Australia I was on the first row but unfortunately I could not finish the race due to the accident with Nakajima.

"In Malaysia I started with a heavy car and improved my position, and in Barcelona we were very close with McLaren so we knew we had to stay in front of them on the first lap, although our race pace was very strong."