McLaren’s chances at the upcoming 2011 Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix
McLaren have been performing pretty well so far in the 2011 Formula 1 season and they are the only team that has been able to challenge Red Bull Racing Team in terms of pace and points.
Both of the team’s drivers are performing at their best as the team has successfully scored three podiums in all the three races of the season so far.
Lewis Hamilton was the first driver to score a podium for his team as he finished in 2nd place at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix behind the reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel who comfortably led the race to victory. They were surprisingly
followed by Vitaly Petrov of Lotus Renault GP while Jenson Button finished in 6th place.
After the season opening race, it became clear that Ferrari and Mercedes GP were not looking as good as McLaren or Red Bull Racing Team were since both of them could not match their pace.
Therefore, at the following race in Malaysia, McLaren were once again on top and the team gave a much better performance in terms of pace. Lewis Hamilton was now just 1 tenth of a second slower than Vettel’s pole position while Jenson Button was just 3 tenths
behind.
Surprisingly enough, the top five during the qualifying session were exactly the same as they were during the Australian Grand Prix. However, the race was a completely different affair.
It was Jenson Button’s turn to step on to the podium as he finished in 2nd place following Sebastian Vettel’s Red Bull. Once again, Lotus Renault GP finished in third place but this time it was Nick Heidfeld’s turn to shine.
Lewis Hamilton on the other hand finished in a disappointing 8th place and this result hampered McLaren’s bid of the 2011 constructors’ championship to some extent.
Nevertheless, a frustrated Hamilton stepped on to the Chinese track a week after and proved that he meant business. Hamilton scored the 3rd fastest time of the qualifying session following his teammate’s 2nd fastest time. Vettel was
once again the fastest driver on the track but both of the McLaren drivers managed to take the advantage during the start of the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.
As a result, Hamilton won after overtaking the reigning world champion just a few laps before the final lap of the race. Unfortunately, Button struggled in the middle of the race and finished in 4th place.
It now seems that McLaren are on a roll now and have finally found a breakthrough. They are more competitive and have a mental advantage over Red Bull Racing Team which would make them come up with an even better race strategy at the upcoming Turkish Grand
Prix in Istanbul.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed and see whether McLaren keep challenging Red Bull the same way they did them at the Chinese Grand Prix.
Get ready for this weekend as the action of the Turkish Grand Prix begins Friday, May 6, 2011.
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