Turkish Grand Prix Preview
Istanbul Park hosts the Turkish Grand Prix for round seven of the 2010 Formula One world championship. Red Bull’s Mark Webber is the form driver, winning back to back races in Spain and Monaco, and is co-leading the drivers’ standings with his teammate Sebastian Vettel on 78 points, with the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso in third, only three points behind. Red Bull are top of the constructors’ championship as well.
Red Bull are undoubtedly the team to beat this season. They have taken the paddock by surprise with dramatic updates to their car and extremely fast race pace. They have set six out of six pole positions, and have three race victories to their name.
Webber has dominated the last two races, taking a lights to flag victory in both, with Vettel unable to challenge him. There has been a mixed reaction as to whether Webber is strong enough to win a world championship, but the Aussie is not focused on that.
“I’m not that interested in the points at the moment. It’s nice to have quite a few but the results in the last few races have been what it’s all about, so that’s been very rewarding. We know that there’s been some missed opportunities in the past and we need to keep those to a minimum, so we’re looking forward, keep trying to do what we’ve been executing the last few events and that can be good for us in the future, but I don’t feel any different really, when I get out of bed, because all of us are pretty much on the same points anyway, so I’m not doing anything that different,” said Webber.
The fight between the two Red Bull drivers continues to be fierce. At the beginning of the season, it looked like it would be Vettel who would emerge as the No.1 for the team, but the momentum is now fully with Webber. “Clearly Sebastian is in a good car, he’s quick and there’s going to be a healthy competition there as always. There’s no secret that we like to beat each other and that’s how it should be. It’s healthy, very good balance within the team and Sebastian’s had his days in the past where he’s been virtually untouchable and I’m sure I hope that they don’t happen too much in the future but he’s very quick, we know that, and I’ve got to try and keep those to a minimum. So it’s a good battle,” Webber said.
Felipe Massa and Webber are the only two drivers to have scored points at every race this season, but while Webber is having one of his best seasons since entering into Formula One back in 2002, Massa has been struggling. Massa has been outshone by Alonso since the Spaniard’s arrival at Ferrari at the start of the season.
However, there was some positive news for Massa this week, as his future at the Scuderia looks to be resolved after Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali revealed in an interview that he was certain Massa would be alongside Alonso for 2011. The Brazilian’s future at Ferrari had been in some doubt, with reports suggesting that Robert Kubica or Webber could replace him, but Domenicali’s assurance - although not definite - is uplifting for the 29-year-old.
Turkey is a special place for Massa. In 2006, he won his maiden grand prix here, followed by consecutive wins in 2007 and 2008. A hat-trick of wins came off the back off three pole positions as well. This is the perfect track for Massa to find some rhythm. “It's a great memory. It's a track which I love to race on. It's a great story for my career, it gives me even more motivation to go there and push even harder to fight for the victory. I hope we're going to have a good weekend and that everything works well, because it's a nice track,” said Massa.
This weekend also marks the 800th grand prix for Ferrari. They have been involved in every world championship since its formation in 1950. Their first race win came in 1951, Jose Froilan Gonzalez winning at the British Grand Prix and since then they have added another 210 wins. Ferrari also hold many records, with 15 drivers’ and 16 constructors’ world championships, as well as 203 pole positions to their name.
“Eight hundred grands prix represents a milestone in the life of Ferrari, which fills us with satisfaction and pride. I want to share our delight in this achievement with the drivers who have driven our cars in the world championship and with our fans. It is nice to look back and see what we have done together, aware that we are part of a story that is without equal and is ongoing,” said Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.
On Friday, reigning world champion Jenson Button went fastest in the second practice session with a time of 1:28.280s, just edging Webber (1:28.378s) and Vettel (1:28.590s). Lewis Hamilton was fourth fastest (1.28:672s), while Alonso was fifth fastest (1:28.725s).
In first practice, Hamilton was fastest (1.28:653s), ahead of his teammate Button (1.29:615) and Michael Schumacher (1.29:750s). Webber was eighth (1.30:097s), Alonso ninth (1.30:294s) and Massa (1.30:867s) in 13th.
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