[Official] Formula 1 2009, Round 7: ING Turkish Grand Prix, Istanbul

[Chatters]

First of all, an apology to all my devout followers who didn't hear from me during the build-up to the Monaco GP. I was unable to post due to other commitments and Burnsie was temporarily MIA so no thread was posted.

But now, I'm back! And it's time to move our focus to the seventh round of the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship, coming to you from the Istanbul Park circuit in Turkey, near the UK/Asia border. We enter this round with a air of mystery: Ferrari, with a horror start to the season, bounced back at Monaco with a well-earned 3-4 placed finish. Was this merely a fluke, or have Ferrari finally entered the ring as a title contender? Red Bull, after having its highly anticipated double diffuser debut at Monaco, seemingly disappointed with only Mark Webber finishing in 5th after Sebastian Vettel lost a fight with the Sainte Devote tyre barrier. Was this also a fluke? Will they return to fighting for wins?

So it was the Brawn juggernaut that rolled on, with Jenson Button taking a commanding victory over team mate Rubens Barrichello, who has responded maginificently to the pressure Vettel was giving him in their fight for second place in the championship. Now, Button leads by an astounding 16 points in the championship, with Barrichello a further 12 points ahead of Vettel, who now sits a very distant third. Will their streak come to end? Will it be here? Who truly knows...

The Istanbul Park circuit is, at the moment, one of the most revered on the calender, behind Spa, Monaco and Suzuka, is a shining beacon of hope that not all new tracks will lack character... The anti-clockwise (one of only two on the calendar) features long straights, twisty curves, and of course, Turn 8. The triple-apex, high speed rollercaoster ride has recieved claim from all worldwide for its challenge and has even led Bernie Ecclestone to proclaim it "the best race track in the world". I'm sure by 'race' he meant 'money' and by 'track' he meant 'spinner'...

Predicting first at the moment isn't very difficult. In fact, predicting second isn't very difficult at the moment either! The quesiton is now if, not when, a Brawn car succomb to mechanical difficulties this year. After only 6 races, Jenson Button, Rubens Barrichello, Mark Webber, Timo Glock, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Nick Heidfeld and Giancarlo Fisichella are the only drivers to have finished all of them. This season is a case of perservering for some, (BMW Sauber), frustration for others (McLaren), and jubilation for Brawn and Red Bull, who have a strangle hold on the first 4 positions in the championship. But will this weekend throw up an unexpected winner?

The only thing Ferrari have going for them coming into this round is that between Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa, they are the only two drivers ever to win around here. Raikkonen took home the trophy in 2005, the inaugural race, and Felipe Massa, who was scored three successive wins here, starting in 2006. Will this be the scene of Ferrari's turnaround, or will it be Brawn and Button who clean up all before them again?

There's only one way to find out...

TURKISH GRAND PRIX - STATISTICS

All Formula 1 smileys courtesy of Andy Blackmore Design

Formula 1 2009 World Driver's Championship Standings

Pos.	Flag	Driver		Constructor	Points
1.		Jenson Button		Brawn-Mercedes	51
2.		Rubens Barrichello		Brawn-Mercedes	35
3.		Sebastian Vettel		RBR-Renault	23
4.		Mark Webber		RBR-Renault	19½
5.		Jarno Trulli		Toyota	14½
6.		Timo Glock		Toyota	12
7.		Fernando Alonso		Renault	11
8.		Kimi Raikkonen		Ferrari	9
9.		Lewis Hamilton		McLaren-Mercedes	9
10.		Felipe Massa		Ferrari	8
11.		Nico Rosberg		Williams-Toyota	7½
12.		Nick Heidfeld		BMW Sauber	6
13.		Heikki Kovalainen		McLaren-Mercedes	4
14.		Sebastien Buemi		STR-Ferrari	3
15.		Sebastien Bourdais		STR-Ferrari	2

2009 Formula 1 World Constructor's Championship Standings

Pos.	Flag	Constructor	Points
1.			86
2.			42½
3.			26½
4.			17
5.			13
6.			11
7.			7½
8.			6
9.			5

Istanbul Park Circuit

Length	Direction	Turns	Laps (Distance)	Lap Record (Driver, Year)	On-Board
5.338km (3.317mi)	Anti-Clockwise	14	58 (309.396km/192.250mi)	1:24.770 (Juan Pablo Montoya, 2004)	Felipe Massa 2008

2008 IV Petrol Ofisi Turkish Grand Prix

Pos.	Driver		Constructor
Pole Position	Felipe Massa (1:27.617)		Ferrari
1st.	Felipe Massa		Ferrari
2nd.	Lewis Hamilton		McLaren-Mercedes
3rd.	Kimi Raikkonen		Ferrari
Fastest Lap	Kimi Raikkonen (1:26.506)		Ferrari

Previous Winners

Year	Driver	Constructor
2007	Felipe Massa	Ferrari
2006	Felipe Massa	Ferrari
2005	Kimi Raikkonen	McLaren-Mercedes

External Links
Local Clock and Weather
Circuit Diagram
Event Timetable

Internal Links
Fantasy F1
Predictions Comp
IRC Chat

[Chatters]

Now, finally, the BBC and 10/OneHD broadcasting schedule:

BBC Broadcast Schedule

Date	Time (GMT)	Session	TV	RED	Radio
Friday, June 5th	0800-0930	Friday Practice 1
	1200-1330	Friday Practice 2
Saturday, June 6th	0900-1000	Saturday Practice 1
	1100-1315	Qualifying
Sunday, June 7th	1210-1500	Race
	1500-1600	Interactive Forum
	1900-2000	Race Highlights

GREEN = Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
BLUE = Radio 5 Live

Channel	Date	Time	Session
	Sunday, June 7th	2320-0135	Race
	Saturday, June 6th	0800-0900	FIA GT Championship Highlights
		0900-1200	NASCAR Sprint Cup Qualifying
		2055-2210	Qualifying
	Sunday, June 7th	0315-0445	NASCAR Sprint Cup Happy Hour
		0445-0545	Raceworld
		0800-0900	Race of Champions
		0900-1230	NASCAR Nationwide Series
		1330-1430	Drag Racing
		1800-1830	780: The F1 Experience
		2100-2150	Pre-Race
		2150-0000	Race
	Monday, June 8th	0000-0630	Grand-Am Rolex Sportcar Series

[Lotusonpole]

Many thanks Chatters, great to have you and the graphics back..

I'm looking forward to Istanbul, to see if all the new tech/areo is actually working.
Monaco was not exactly the best yardstick to measure the effectiveness of any (if any) improvements.
That's why as much as both Ferrari and Maclaren look to have made up ground, I'll wait and see what happens this weekend.

[Ralf's Girl]

I would be utterly astonished if Ferrari's Turkish GP winning streak continued. However, from a championship perspective, I think I would be grateful if anybody - even Ferrari - manages to just haul the Brawns back a bit.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Ralf's Girl

I think I would be grateful if anybody - even Ferrari - manages to just haul the Brawns back a bit.

From a championship perspective I think that Brawn would also like the regular front runners to get their acts together,as those young upstarts Red Bull are just a little close for comfort.

Great intro Chatters.

[JamesH]

Originally Posted by Ralf's Girl

I would be utterly astonished if Ferrari's Turkish GP winning streak continued. However, from a championship perspective, I think I would be grateful if anybody - even Ferrari - manages to just haul the Brawns back a bit.

I agree. No expert here, so I am guessing that the DDD on the Ferrari made no difference in Monaco. Track is too slow. It's probable that the Ferrari is just better on those sorts of track, as is the Mclaren (As LH has said - no grip on the high speed corners - and those are somewhat lacking at Monaco).

The Brawn appears to be an exceptional all round race car, leagues ahead of the others. What also amazes me is the reliability - no pre season practice, and it has never failed. Exceptional again.

[FPV GTHO]

Its predicted to be a strong track for Red Bull, where the high speed corners should give them the edge over Brawn. Of the 2 RBR drivers, its Vettel's turn for the strategy pick so he'd have to have a good chance of winning if everything goes smoothly.

[jab]

I don't think there is a strategy rotation going on at RBR, and I think Webber will not win because he's cursed. So I'm predicting yet another Button win when both Red Bulls get stuck behind Lewis for half the race or something ridiculously boring and Rubens' mirror to conveniently fall off during his short middle stint and lodge itself in the rear wing

Turkey hasn't produced a gem of a race for 3 years so I'm not holding out much hope for a decent scrap

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by jab

I don't think there is a strategy rotation going on at RBR, and I think Webber will not win because he's cursed. So I'm predicting yet another Button win when both Red Bulls get stuck behind Lewis for half the race or something ridiculously boring and Rubens' mirror to conveniently fall off during his short middle stint and lodge itself in the rear wing

I agree that Webber is cursed.How can anyone with so much talent be so unlucky ?

The Red Bulls are also cursed to be stuck behind other cars on the grid by reason of not being quick enough in qualifying.

Rubens will indeed complain of his softer tyres going off in whichever stint he happens to use them in,as will everyone else,but they can always blame the car.Tearing off one of his mirrors and chucking it into the airbox will no doubt make him feel much better when it comes to picking up yet another second place trophy.

The weather,by the way,will be hot with race day track temperatures set to be well over 40 degrees!

[Bononi]

Nice job as usual, Chatters !

[EBXR8]

Red Bull Front Row, Brawns Close Behind so No Go Fast button cars can get the jump would be a dream come true.

[jab]

And believe it or not, the weather forecast for this weekend is...DRY

(Actually it rained for the LMS race in '06...)

[JeremySmith]

Stunning work Chatters as always..

[rocketracer]

i cant wait for this race - turkey as a circuit does tend to give a good look at just what sort of physics are involved in driving a modern f1 car. plus the undulations look great for tv cameras.

so even if the racing is dull (which i sincerely dont think it will be this year - as following in the wake of the leading car is critical and should be much improved compared to last season) i cant wait for the spectacle.

add to that i think RBR will at least be a match for the brawns with the high speed corners. toyota should also come back to the fore at a track which should suit them a little better than the last couple, williams should look alright (in practice at least), and ferrari will hopefully have form. would KERS would be an asset here? long back straight?

Wouldnt think the circuit would suit this years Mclaren (or bmw for that matter) very much with the lack of rear end downforce, so they should struggle.

and brawn will be brawn....

[OZ_HCR32]

Very keen to see how this race pans out. I personally think that Ferrari will be aggressive with strategy and with KERS can steal the race from the start meaning that it will be a bit of a traffic jam until the first stops are cleared.

If history is anything to go by Vettel could go real aggressive in fuel again and try to do a runner from the start on the soft tyres....it will be very interesting as the cars are all so similar over a single lap that strategy will be very different for teams.

I think the real challenge this weekend will be seeing who goes most agressive on fuel loads, RBR or Ferrari as RBR have had a few weekends compromised by KERS cars. Brawn will just sit back and let others do what they need to do and happily punch out competitve lap after lap which will see them on the podium when their ultimate pace over a race distance gives them more flexible strategies

[Sodemo]

The first race there was a thriller, mainly because of the first corner incident messed up the field and there were lots of fast cars stuck down the order and had to fight their way through. But the last few races have been real bore fests.

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by OZ_HCR32

Very keen to see how this race pans out. I personally think that Ferrari will be aggressive with strategy and with KERS can steal the race from the start meaning that it will be a bit of a traffic jam until the first stops are cleared

Or until the KERS system fails.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by OZ_HCR32

it will be very interesting as the cars are all so similar over a single lap that strategy will be very different for teams.

has the strategy of low fuel and soft tires at the start paid off for anyone this year? RB's with the soft seemed to make it work at Monaco but that probably had more to do with the lack of overtaking zones there. saving the short stint for last has worked for Button, but at the same time did that only work because the KERS cars in the middle kept the faster RBR cars from closing the gap?

but with the cars all so close in lap times, quali should be very exciting with their being potentially 6 cars able to post laps a few tenths apart. and of course Toyota may try to mix it all up by securing pole at the expense of their race stratagy. politics aside, should be a great weekend.

Chatters, nice addition (or i just noticed it for the first time) of the on-board link in the graphics.

[JamesH]

Originally Posted by OZ_HCR32

Very keen to see how this race pans out. I personally think that Ferrari will be aggressive with strategy and with KERS can steal the race from the start meaning that it will be a bit of a traffic jam until the first stops are cleared.

Not going to be easy to do that from row 4.

Two Brawns, 2 Red Bulls in random order on first two rows. Williams on row three, maybe even a Toyota or two. Then Ferrari.

Ahhh, I can dream....

[Splatz the Cow]

Despite what happened to Vettel in Monaco, Webber showed that RBR is pretty fast. On previous open-sweeping tracks they have been fast, everything points to them being suited to this Istanbul track.

For those who watched Monaco closely, would have seen the fantastic turn in on the tight corners for Ferrari. With the KERS and rear end improvements they may be up there this round. As yet its unproven on an open circuit.

BMW have more improvements too but is their best bet trying to keep up with midpack?

Finally, the Brawn juggernaut just keeps on going. Where's the DNF? Where's the driver error? Play fair!

[Marbot]

BMW are not using their KERS this weekend and are going to play with their new diffuser instead.Hope springs eternal.

Weather still looks to be fairly warm and dry for the race weekend.So it's excellent weather for parking your Ferrari at the side of the road and having a glass or two of 'vino' with a marshal.

Toyota have yet another chance to grab defeat from the jaws of victory by using the wrong strategy,and Red Bull have yet another chance to get stuck behind them using the right one.

Williams will again show that their car likes to 'lie-in' on a Sunday morning and Renault will again show that having two drivers of vastly differing abilities doesn't work.

Hamilton will be quick,but he may have to wait for his car to catch up with him.

The Brawns will disappear.But unfortunately for the other teams they will then reappear at the next GP.

[p261brm]

To finish first, first you must finish.....Don't go down to the woods today...

[jab]

Watching FP2, Webber was about .15 up on Lewis' fastest time after sector 2 but ended up .25 down

Is the final sector negating any advantage the aero-efficient cars have over the aero-ineffecient cars?

[bravo]

Originally Posted by Marbot

BMW are not using their KERS this weekend and are going to play with their new diffuser instead.Hope springs eternal.

Weather still looks to be fairly warm and dry for the race weekend.So it's excellent weather for parking your Ferrari at the side of the road and having a glass or two of 'vino' with a marshal.

Toyota have yet another chance to grab defeat from the jaws of victory by using the wrong strategy,and Red Bull have yet another chance to get stuck behind them using the right one.

Williams will again show that their car likes to 'lie-in' on a Sunday morning and Renault will again show that having two drivers of vastly differing abilities doesn't work.

Hamilton will be quick,but he may have to wait for his car to catch up with him.

The Brawns will disappear.But unfortunately for the other teams they will then reappear at the next GP.

Very Clive James. Bravo, bravo!

[Marbot]

McLaren are pleasently surprised by their pace in Friday practice.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/75852

There was just 0.7 seconds seperating the top 16 teams in second practice,with just Force India and STR Outside the group.

The tyres,once again,seem to be playing a big part in proceedings.