Hamilton of Troy: Thanks to sponsor Vodafone, Lewis Hamilton was hoisted on to stage on high wires, portraying the Greek god Apollo, a pre-race publicity stunt in Istanbul he now regrets. The Times declared ‘in the pantheon of ridiculous publicity stunts, it may rate among the greatest’. The McLaren driver starts Sunday’s Turkish Grand Prix in third place.

Massa on pole with Kovalainen second. World Champion Rakikkonen starts fourth.