McLaren hit the ground running More photos from Istanbul

The �40m circuit hosted F1 cars for the first time in Friday's practice runs.

"I think the impression I formed of this track after riding around it on a scooter was misleading.

"I thought it did not seem that difficult but now in the car, with a much lower seating position, it looks very different," said Schumacher.

The undulating 3.3-mile track has been tipped to offer a challenge to rival the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.

"It is a nice track, a unique circuit and a success," added Ferrari's Schumacher, who was one of several drivers to spin in practice.

"All in all it is really interesting to drive. I wouldn't compare it to Spa but it certainly has its strengths, its own qualities."

It is quite hard to find the right line through the corners and it is not easy to learn Renault's Fernando Alonso

"Some corners such as turn one have a blind exit which makes it very interesting. Turn eight is another challenging corner as it has several possible lines."

BAR's Jenson Button said the layout of the circuit, one of only three in Formula One to run in an anticlockwise direction, would test the neck muscles.

Button predicted that turn eight in particular could cause problems for drivers used to right turns.

"The big left-hander round the back is a fantastic experience," he said.

"We pull about four Gs. It's not too hard physically yet but I'm sure it will be in the neck.

"We have only been doing shorter runs - our longest run was 14 laps. I saw a couple of drivers with their heads going a bit so it is hard.

"It's anti-clockwise as well so you are working the opposite side of your neck to normal. You can only train so much to make your neck stronger.

"It's a great circuit to drive and I think we are all enjoying it. I knew when I came here first of all that the lay-out was good but now it's finished I really like it.

"There are a few corners we haven't seen before so that makes it challenging. I am really enjoying myself."

Championship leader Fernando Alonso added: "My first impression is that the track is a really good challenge.