McLaren and Ferrari resume battle for F1 title

The lack of on-track activity hasn't dampened the rivalry between McLaren-Mercedes drivers Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton as the relationship between the pair seems to have irrevocably broken down since events during qualifying at the Hungarian GP in Budapest.

 Hamilton went on to win at the Hungaroring to stretch his lead over Alonso at the top of the drivers' standing to seven points, with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen a further 13 points adrift.

 While McLaren have stated that the two drivers are back on speaking terms all eyes will be on the pair in Istanbul.

 "It is always great to have a break and re-charge the batteries, but it is fantastic to be getting back out on track in Turkey," said Alonso.

 "We are in a strong position in both Championships and there are a lot of points to be won in the final six races."

   Raikkonen and team-mate Felipe Massa, who is one point behind the Finn in the drivers' standings, know that this weekend is pivotal to their chances of overhauling the two McLarens.

 Ferrari will start as favourites this weekend at the fast Istanbul Park circuit, where Raikkonen won the inaugural race for McLaren in 2005. Massa took the chequered flag last year in his first GP win for the Italian marque.

 "There are three weeks, plus a test. This is certain to be a very busy period," said Raikkonen.

 "But we are racing on tracks which are amongst my favourites - Istanbul, Monza and Spa-Francorchamps. I think these are tracks where Ferrari should be very competitive."

   But Hamilton has also had joy in Istanbul, coming from the back of the pack to finish second in last year's GP2 race.

 "It is a very physically demanding circuit, all the fast corners, such as turn eight which is awesome and flat out, and the heat place a big demand on the drivers," said the Briton.

 "During the short summer break I have been keeping up with my training to ensure I am fully prepared for it. Along with the team, I am very motivated right now. There are six races remaining and I am looking forward to the challenge."

   Meanwhile, Spyker has been forced to delay the debut of its B-spec car until the Italian Grand Prix on September 9 after it failed Formula 1's standard rear crash test, meaning it will continue to race with its A-spec cars this weekend.

 "It's obviously very disappointing to delay the launch, especially considering the hard work that everyone at the factory and track has put in," said Spyker's chief technology officer Mike Gascoyne.