Turkish Grand Prix 2011: 2nd Qualifying session – Formula One highlights (Part 3)
We were ten minutes into the second qualifying session, five remained. With the majority heading to the pits before their final spell, we were bound to get a busy race track in the later stages. Timing the flying lap was essential – No matter how powerful your engine; how technically correct your aerodynamics are set up; how logically sound your race strategy is; no car or driver in Formula One would have any answer if the timing of the flying lap is out – Every driver is racing for his own survival and no one gets a free pass.
Vitaly Petrov was making full use of the empty race track on his soft tyres and started his hot lap soon after. Michael Schumacher joined him next, also running on the soft compounds. Moments later, the Renault slingshot its way to 6th fastest! This effectively meant Rubens Barrichello was knocked out of the top 10. Could the veteran Brazilian respond? The Williams had been somewhat disappointing in the practice sessions. Not only did it lack straight line speed but also struggled to ride the curves smoothly – Experience can only take you so far in the case of the former Ferrari driver.
Michael Schumacher began his flying lap. The track was still relatively empty which meant that if ever there were a time to shake off that Q2 curse for the German, this was IT. After some off the limit driving, the Mercedes driver went up to 4th position! With little time left, perhaps it was job done as far as reaching the final round of qualifying was concerned. The Mercedes had been putting in strong performances consistently throughout the course of the weekend – The only question was, could his teammate, Nico Rosberg do better?
With Schumacher out of the relegation zone, Sebastien Buemi found himself leading the chase to make it into the top 10. Alguersuari hadn’t been able to impress so far, whether it was a case of the driver or simply, struggling car, Buemi’s coming flying lap was about to confirm.
Rubens Barrichello made his way back on track as he attempted to get back into the top 10.
The track was finally crowding up with cars fighting for the chance to participate in the third round of qualifying – Were we in store for some late drama?
To be continued in part 4...
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