Felipe Massa claimed his first Formula 1 victory at Istanbul Park in 2006, but the weekend belonged to championship math and controversy. Fernando Alonso split the Ferraris by finishing second, holding off Michael Schumacher and protecting crucial ground in their title fight. The race organizers paid heavily for a podium ceremony violation: when the Turkish Cypriot leader was introduced as "president of the Turkish republic of northern Cyprus"—a region recognized only by Turkey—the FIA levied a $5 million fine, later halved to $2.5 million. It remains one of the largest penalties in F1 history, dwarfing most sporting infractions. For Massa, Istanbul was a breakthrough, proof he could win at the sport's highest level. For Schumacher, second place meant lost ground in a championship fight he would ultimately lose to Alonso.
Read the full story at RaceFansON THIS DAY: MASSA TAKES FIRST WIN AND TURKISH GP PROMOTER FINED $2.5M
Felipe Massa claimed his first Formula 1 victory at Istanbul Park in 2006, but the weekend belonged to championship math and controversy. Fernando Alonso split the Ferraris by finishing second, holding off Michael Schumacher and protecting crucial ground in their title fight. The race organizers paid heavily for a podium ceremony violation: when the Turkish Cypriot leader was introduced as "president of the Turkish republic of northern Cyprus"—a region recognized only by Turkey—the FIA levied a $5 million fine, later halved to $2.5 million. It remains one of the largest penalties in F1 history, dwarfing most sporting infractions. For Massa, Istanbul was a breakthrough, proof he could win at the sport's highest level. For Schumacher, second place meant lost ground in a championship fight he would ultimately lose to Alonso.
