F1-Blog

Istanbul is another of the Hermann Tilke new tracks, with the exception that it is a counter clockwise track.

Filipe Massa has enjoyed the track in the past, winning here twice since it’s opening race in 2005, and Ferrari have typically been strong here.

The track temperature will again be high this weekend, and the teams will almost all be bringing new aero updates to the car to help with this and also to improve performance, we may even see some of the car take the Ferrari nose hole concept on.

It’s also the fifth race of the season, so teams are allowed to use a new gearbox at this race, and they were probably starting to feel a little tired after the end of the Spanish weekend.

The Ferrari team will again be the team to beat, and are likely to be fastest here all weekend, however it will be interesting to see if Filipe has got the TC issues he seemed to be having under control, especially at turn 8.

McLaren were again back to the front of the chasing pack last race alongside BMW, so it’s good news that Heikki has been cleared to drive. Lewis will want to get back to winning ways as well, so expect them to be strong. Let’s hope they get the qualifying strategy right this weekend, as it hurt the team starting so far back last race. McLaren have also released the result’s of the Heikki investigation saying -

It has been established that, owing to a process fault during manufacture, the outer clamp surface of the wheel was given a clear lacquer coating. As a consequence of this fault, the clamp load that attached the wheel was not to specification.

In running, the consequent loss of load caused the wheel to fret and distort, leading to its eventual failure.

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and the wheel supplier have now established new procedures designed to prevent a re-occurrence of this issue. McLaren Press Statement.

BMW will be in contention too, they have openly been playing with the Ferrari nose concept, and it may make an appearance, but probably needs more testing. Both drivers should go well here, and the team will certainly score points, keeping them in the constructors championship race.

As for the other teams, Toyota and Red Bull will probably still be the best of the rest behind the top 3, with Red Bull possibly just sneaking ahead of Toyota in the development race so far this season. Let’s hope their drivers have a little more luck this weekend, as both have had their fair share of race stopping problems.

Renault again could be a dark horse, they proved the new car’s speed credentials in Spain, and Fernando is certainly looking more at home again in the cockpit of the car. His young team mate seems to be starting to settle down as well, so expect them to run in the Q3 session on Saturday, and at least worry some of the teams on Sunday.

Super Aguri will not be at this event, Aguri Suzuki ended the team during the week after failing to get the money to continue. Honda were also not willing to help out, and took the cars off the team. What is going to happen to Anthony and Taku is still unknown, but it is known that Anthony is covered by clauses that links him with Honda, and after all the team was setup up for Taku, so I should think they are both safe.

So we should get a decent race, the Istanbul track is well liked, and has overtaking opportunities, plus it’s ‘back to front’ so has that to add challenge to the drivers.

See map in Google Earth!

Stats :

Fastest Lap : 1:24.770 (Juan Pablo Montoya, McLaren, 2005)
Pole Time : 1:26.797 - Kimi Raikkonen (2005)
Most Wins : 2 Filipe Massa

Link to ITV Web Simulcast for the GP and Practice/Qualifying sessions.

Broadcast Times for Turkey in UK time

First practice Friday 08:00
Second practice Friday 12:00
Qualifying Saturday 12:00
Race Sunday 13:00

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