Silly Season begins
No doubt Felipe Massa felt doubly relieved as he took the chequered flag in Turkey. Not only had the Brazilian comprehensively trounced his much-vaunted team-mate and reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen in both qualifying and the race, but news was also trickling through the paddock that a one-year extension to Robert Kubica's tenure at BMW was as good as done - if not already completed.
Since last year's Chinese Grand Prix, where the Pole - in the lead, and suitably tyred and tanked for his final stint - retired through hydraulic failure, the word was that Ferrari was after Kubica, who, after years of living and karting in Italy, is regarded by many as an honorary resident of the country.
His Italian manager, Daniele Morelli, whilst respecting every clause in his 24-year-old charge's BMW contract, has done nothing to discourage the rumours, and, if anything, has pandered to the press whilst downplaying suggestions that 2005/6 champion Fernando Alonso, who is believed to be free to leave Renault if the team is lower than fourth in the Constructors' Championship at mid-season, would join BMW for 2009.