Turkish GP Wrap
May 13th 2008 02:13
2008 Turkish GP Wrap:
The Carnage at Turn 1 (AP)
Ferrari
Felipe Massa Q:1 R:1
Kimi Raikkonen Q:3 R: 3
Felipe stamped his dominance over Turkey for the third year running – but Ferrari were not as convincing as the last couple of rounds. Felipe was genuinely concerned by Hamilton's pace, while Raikkonen cruised along to third with a damaged front wing (after bumping Heikki Kovalainen at the start).
McLaren
Lewis Hamilton Q:4 R: 2
Heikki Kovalainen Q:2 R: 12
McLaren’s pit crew were kept busy, with Lewis racing a bold, and surprisingly effective three stopper, (later revealed to be a tyre-preserving decision) while Heikki dropped to the back after Raikkonen’s front wing gifted him an early puncture. Hamilton’s pace with low fuel was mighty – and a recovering Heikki was on a mission, overtaking like a madman before a late splash and dash put him outside a deserved points position. Macca CEO, Martin Whitmarsh reckons Heikki could have won had it not been for the puncture.
BMW-Sauber
Nick Heidfeld Q:9 R:5
Robert Kubica Q: 5 R:4
Not the best of qualifying efforts from the Beemers, and a disappointing result considering to weeks ago, they had McLaren pinned. Kubica complained of lack of balance in qualy, while Heidfeld fluffed his final run. Still, in typical canny fashion, Quick Nick passed Trulli, Webber and Alonso after the first round of stops to settle into an easy fifth, while Kubica shadowed Raikkonen for a while, before falling back into an easy fourth.
Renault
Fernando Alonso Q:7 R: 6
Nelson Piquet Jnr Q:17 R: 15
Alonso continued Renault’s improved form into Turkey, once again featuring in Q3, while Piquet Jnr once again disappointed, failing to escape Q1. Alonso managed to battle through the dense upper midfield to oust Webber and Trulli who started ahead of him. Piquet Jnr was more impressive on Sunday, pulling off some fine overtaking manoeuvres – but was still unable to finish anywhere near the points.
Williams
Nico Rosberg Q:11 R:8
Kazuki Nakiajima Q:16 R: DNF (accident)
Rosberg was disappointed not to break into the top ten shootout, but made up for it with yet another barnstorming first lap – instantly propelling himself into the points from 11th. Nakajima meanwhile was helpless as an out-of-control Fisichella collected him as he attempted to take the first corner after the start.
Red Bull
Mark Webber Q:6 R:7
David Coulthard Q:10 R: 9
Red Bull were more than pleased with getting both cars into Q3, and only just missed out on scoring points with both cars. Both drivers were locked in tight strategic battles – with Webber just losing out to Fernando Alonso in the pits, and Coulthard likewise to Nico Rosberg. Webber equalled his 2007 points tally with his fourth straight points finish, while Coulthard was just happy to have finished a race without being crashed into.
Toyota
Jarno Trulli Q:8 R:10
Timo Glock Q:15 R:13
Trulli was again pacey in qualifying, but lost out heavily at the start, dropping three places by the first corner and never recovering. Glock meanwhile was caught up in a fierce battle with the Hondas and Nelson Piquet – as well as a recovering Heikki Kovalainen. At least he managed to sight the chequered flag this time.
Honda
Jenson Button Q: 13 R:11
Rubens Barrichello Q:12 R:14
A special occasion for Rubens Barrichello, becoming F1’s most experienced driver, but GP number 257 was a frustrating affair for the Brazilian and Honda. Neither driver was happy with the car on Saturday, and the lack of pace told with both cars finishing outside the top ten. Button made some ground at the start, but his Honda simply lacked the speed to trouble the points-scorers.
Toro Rosso
Sebastian Vettel Q:14 R:17
Sebastien Bourdais Q:18 R: DNF (mechanical)
Vettel was impressive in qualifying, getting comfortably into Q2, but was unable to capitalise in the race – getting caught up in first lap troubles again, ruining his race. Then, to add further misery, there were fuelling rig dramas that relegated the German to dead last. Bourdais was disappointed with his qualy – blaming the Force Indias for blocking his quick laps – but made a good start before eventually being thrown into the gravel on lap 25 with some sort of mechanical failure. The team say they’re glad to see the end of the STR2, with ttheir new car due for Monaco.
Force India
Giancarlo Fisichella Q:20 (penalty) R: DNF (accident)
Adrian Sutil Q:19 R:16
Fisichella’s race ended in a cloud of locked brakes and a leapfrog into the gravel off the back of Nakajima’s Williams after misjudging the first corner. Sutil lost his front wing in another incident, but rejoined to race hard and keep Sebastian Vettel at bay to wind up 16th.
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