Red Bull Experiments with New Aerodynamics at Turkish Grand Prix 2010
With the Turkish grand prix this weekend, Red Bull is doing all it can to extend its lead in the points table. The team is due to try out a new rear aerodynamic part in its racing cars. They are hoping this new part would help propel them even further in the point’s tally, as rivals McLaren and Ferrari are close behind.
The newly installed part is an F-duct, the purpose of which is to increase speed on straights. The first time this part will be tested is during the practice session on Friday. That is when Mark Webber would have a fair idea about how this new part will help propel his lead in the overall driver’s points table as well. When asked about who the biggest threat to Red Bull would be during this race, Webber’s answer was simple; McLaren. The reason he gave for that was because Lewis Hamilton was the closest competitor in Barcelona, thus momentum would make all the difference in the Turkish grand prix. A point to note here is that McLaren were the first team to induct this new rear aerodynamic part in their cars. It could also be this reason that compels Webber to count them as their biggest threat; however he did not discount the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes.
McLaren’s Jenson Button also feels that the aerodynamic part works best on normal circuits, unlike the street circuits of Monaco. Ferrari too would be re-adding the part to their cars; they had removed it for the street race in Monaco. Thus each driver would be yearning to propel their car on the straights in order to gain an advantage on their closest rivals. Ferrari’s Alonso has termed Red Bull as favourites for the race. That is not to discount his own team, but he said a realistic target they have set for themselves is to reduce the gap between themselves and Red Bull, by giving a solid performance at the Turkish grand prix. The race in Turkey is a historical one for Ferrari, as it would be the team’s 800th race ever since it entered the F1 circuit.
Looking at Red Bull’s performance over the season so far, they have won three races, but somehow always managed to be on pole position in each of the seven races that have taken place so far. Both the Red Bull team mates Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel are tied on top of the driver’s points table with 78 points. Ferrari’s Alonso is close behind with 75 points; Button has 70 points while former champion Lewis Hamilton is tied with Robert Kubica at 59 points.
Red Bull has also changed the chassis in Vettel’s car as they felt that something in the drive was not feeling right during the last two races. Vettel believes that their cars are not just quick but also reliable and consistent, and an advantage that no other team has had.
On the other hand, former F1 great Michael Schumacher, who is on his comeback trail, would want to recreate some of his forgotten magic. He too is hoping that the upgrades that have taken place in his Mercedes will help him climb the points table. Schumacher had a bad run in Monaco when he had his points deducted for an illegal overtake of Alonso. His team mate Nico Rosberg however is standing at 56 points.
A surprising dark horse in this year’s season has been Robert Kubica. The Polish driver has finished in the top three twice, including in Monaco. But even after gaining momentum, team Renault are being realistic, they believe they will not have a front row start to the race but they are happy with their progress so far.
The track in Istanbul is a 58 lap circuit and the race is being held for the sixth time on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. It is a wait and watch game as to who will cross the finish line first after 58 laps on Sunday.
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