Vettel does not blame webber for crash

Sebastian Vettel refuses to blame team-mate Mark Webber for their collision during the Turkish Grand Prix

Source: YouTube - WeeklyF1

Turkish GP: Vettel gifts McLaren the 1-2

Lewis Hamilton took advantage of Red Bull's worst nightmare to claim his first victory in ten races in Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix

Putting pressure on the Bulls throughout the grand prix, Hamilton never allowed pole sitter Mark Webber to pull away from him. However, a small problem with his tyres in his pit stop meant he lost out to Sebastian Vettel, dropping to third.

But instead of falling away as some believed would happen, Hamilton kept hounding the Bulls, putting the pressure on Vettel. And it was perhaps that pressure - as well as that of having lost out to Webber for the past two races - that prompted Vettel to launch an opportunistic attack on his team-mate for the lead.

It was a move that resulted in tears as Vettel crashed into Webber, putting himself out the grand prix and Webber into the pits for repairs. Red Bull's woes were McLaren's joys as Hamilton and team-mate Jenson Button took control of the race.

However, McLaren almost had tears of their own as Button fought Hamilton for the lead, getting ahead of his team-mate and resulting in a small rubbing of paint for the two Brits. Hamilton fought back to take the lead from Button and never looked back, claiming his first victory of the season.

A disappointed Webber was third ahead of Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg and Robert Kubica. Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso finished Ferrari's 800th grand prix in seventh and eighth places.

Results:

1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1h28:47.620
2. Button McLaren-Mercedes + 2.645
3. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 24.285
4. Schumacher Mercedes + 31.110
5. Rosberg Mercedes + 32.266
6. Kubica Renault + 32.824
7. Massa Ferrari + 36.635
8. Alonso Ferrari + 46.544
9. Sutil Force India-Mercedes + 49.029
10. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari + 1:05.650
11. De la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari + 1:05.944
12. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1:07.800
13. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes + 1 lap
14. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth + 1 lap
15. Petrov Renault + 1 lap
16. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1 lap
17. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth + 1 lap
18. Glock Virgin-Cosworth + 2 laps
19. Di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth + 3 laps

Did not finish

Chandhok HRT-Cosworth 53
Senna HRT-Cosworth 47
Vettel Red Bull-Renault 40
Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 34
Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 33

Source: Planet-F1

Schumi 'quite happy' with qualy

Michael Schumacher has no complaints with his Turkish qualifying, saying it was a "step forward" despite ending it in a spray of gravel

Schumacher will start Sunday's Turkish GP from fifth place on the grid, lining up behind the Red Bulls and McLarens.

However, more importantly, he's ahead of his team-mate Nico Rosberg after being his fellow German by less than a tenth of a second.

"I am quite happy with my qualifying today and I really think that we have made a step forward," Schumacher said.

"If you consider that this is a track which is aerodynamically demanding, you can clearly say the hard work of our guys paid off and I would really say thank you to them."

However, Schumacher's qualifying wasn't all smooth running as the German ended it beached in the gravel after going off at Turn Eight on his final lap.

"What happened in Turn Eight was that it was my last go, the fast lap before was a good one, so obviously you try to push even more, especially as on this lap you can win time. I went out a bit wide and off it went."

The German, though, still held onto fifth place on the grid, which means he has the advantage of starting on the clean side of the Istanbul track.

"In my view, the side I am starting from tomorrow is an advantage as it is much cleaner. I have tried practice starts from both sides and felt my side was the better one.

"As for tomorrow's race, I will certainly try to have a good start and try to achieve the best result possible."

Source: Planet-F1

Hamilton cautiously 'positive'

Lewis Hamilton admits he does not like to use the word "confident", opting instead for "upbeat" and "positive" as he has a first win of the season in his sights

It has been a lean time for Hamilton of late after a run of nine races without savouring the sweet taste of victory champagne, and with just two wins in his last 24.

But for the first time this year the 2008 World Champion will start on the front row after coming as close as anybody to knocking Red Bull Racing off their perch.

Ahead of Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix, only Mark Webber is ahead of the McLaren star on the grid.

Webber clinched his third straight pole, becoming the first to do so since Ferrari's Felipe Massa three years ago, and the first Australian to achieve the feat since Sir Jack Brabham in 1960.

It also gave Red Bull their seventh successive pole position, the best run in F1 in one season since McLaren in 1999.

But Hamilton is determined to prevent Webber from making it three wins in a row at Istanbul Park after his triumphs already this month in Spain and Monaco.

"I plan to win and we're in the closest position to do it, so I can only hope and pray tomorrow is a positive day," Hamilton said.

"I'm going to do everything I can to prepare myself mentally and come back tomorrow and fight.

"If I can get close enough to Mark, without a doubt I'll be taking the opportunity to pass."

Asked if he was confident of victory, Hamilton replied: "I don't like to use that word.

"But I'm happy with my car and very happy with the position I'm in, even if it is on the dirty side. You do what you can from there.

"But throughout a weekend I always seem to find more and more time, so I'm upbeat, positive."

Three weeks ago Hamilton was a second slower than a Red Bull one-two in qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix, but today the gap was just 0.138 seconds.

Hamilton added: "We're making steps forward and it's great to be able to separate the Red Bulls.
"The guys back at the factory are doing an incredible job and they are under immense pressure, but we all want to win and we're edging closer and closer.

"After qualifying I walked past Mark's car and I said to myself 'Just one more step'. I know we can fight these guys.

"They still have quite a big advantage on us, but we're going to get that advantage and hopefully you're going to see Jenson (Button) and I up there and them trying to split us."

Source: Planet-F1

Qualifying: Webber continues Red Bull's run

Despite Lewis Hamilton's best efforts, Mark Webber was able to continue Red Bull Racing's run of pole positions in Turkey on Saturday

The Australian racer, who seems to have found something extra in either himself or the car, crossed the line with a 1:26.295, thereby sealing his third successive qualifying P1 - and Red Bull's seventh out of seven races.

However, it was a close call as Hamilton, putting his f-duct to use around the Istanbul circuit, mounted a challenge, finishing just 0.138s adrift to claim McLaren's first front row grid slot of the Championship.

He also split the Red Bulls as Sebastian Vettel could only manage third place, which should spark an exciting battle in Sunday's grand prix.
Jenson Button was fourth ahead of the Mercedes GP drivers with Michael Schumacher pipping his team-mate Nico Rosberg by less than a tenth of a second.

Robert Kubica and Felipe Massa completed the top eight while Fernando Alonso was the only big name not to make it through to Q3 as the Spaniard made a mistake at Turn 12 and then just wasn't quick enough on his following lap.

Times:

01. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:26.295
02. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:26.433

03. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:26.760
04. Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:26.781

05. Schumacher Mercedes 1:26.857
06. Rosberg Mercedes 1:26.952

07. Kubica Renault 1:27.039
08. Massa Ferrari 1:27.082

09. Petrov Renault 1:27.430
10. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:28.122

11. Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:27.525
12. Alonso Ferrari 1:27.612

13. de la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari 1:27.879
14. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:28.273

15. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:28.392
16. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:28.540

17. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1:28.841
18. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:28.958

19. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1:30.237
20. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1:30.519

21. Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:30.744
22. Senna HRT-Cosworth 1:31.266

23. di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1:31.989
24. Chandhok HRT-Cosworth 1:32.060

Source: Planet-F1

Prac Two: Button leads the charge

Jenson Button set the pace on Friday in Turkey as the Brit replaced his team-mate as the quickest driver around the Istanbul Otodrom

While Lewis Hamilton dominated the morning session, almost a full second ahead of Button, it was the reigning World Champ who seized the advantage in the latter session.

With the track temperature of 50'C heating up the tyres, Button clocked a 1:28.280 to finish 0.098s ahead of Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber.

Webber, though, wasn't given the chance to attack Button's time in the latter stages of Practice Two as a suspected engine failure cut short his session.

Sebastian Vettel was next in line, outpacing Hamilton while Fernando Alonso found some pace on the softer tyres to take fifth place ahead of the two Mercedes GP drivers.

Report: Friday's second practice got underway with the track temperature sitting at a sweltering 50'C and Bruno Senna, who sat out the morning session, the first out for start of the installation laps. The Hispania driver stayed out on track, clocking a 1:37.906. His time, though, was easily beaten as Vitaly Petrov took the P1 slot, seven seconds quicker.

Unlike the morning session, the drivers were quickly into the action, putting in the miles with Lewis Hamilton dethroning Petrov before losing out to Robert Kubica. Kamui Kobayashi went fourth ahead of Rubens Barrichello, Jaime Alguersuari, Tonio Liuzzi and Heikki Kovalainen. The order again changed as Jenson Button overhauled Kubica only to lose out moments later to Hamilton, a 1:29.117 for the 2008 World Champion.

Button, though, continued to trade early blows with his team-mate, setting two fastest sectors on his way to the P1 slot while the two Renaults battled for third place. Michael Schumacher joined the action, continuing Merc GP's extensive test of their completed f-duct system. The German claimed fourth place, 0.4s off the pace. Hamilton returned to the front of the McLaren tussle.

Mark Webber put in his first flying lap, negotiatings traffic in the form of Felipe Massa on his way to sixth place. The Aussie, winner of the last two races, improved to fourth and then third. His team-mate Sebastian Vettel was one of only three drivers, the other two being Nico Rosberg and Adrian Sutil, who had yet to set a time. When Vettel finally did emerge the German shot to the front of the timesheets, taking fourth place behind Webber before taking third off him.

Petrov became the first noteable off-track racer of the session, running wide and onto the gravel at Turn Eight. Tonio Liuzzi was another to run wide at the four-apex corner while Kobayashi spun his Sauber as the drivers put in a lap after lap in preparation for Saturday's qualifying and the grand prix.

After numerous laps without setting a time, Rosberg put his name on the sheets, taking sixth place behind his team-mate Schumacher. Hamilton, using the softer option Bridgestone rubber, lowered the benchmark to a 1:28.672. A few minutes later, Vettel topped it with a 1:28.590. Alonso, also on the softer tyres, climbed from 15th to third, 0.135s behind Vettel. The trio, though, were all dropped as Button went quickest.

Felipe Massa came close to the wall at Turn Eight but damaged to avoid it and continued. Massa, in keeping with his tradition from the Monaco GP, forgot to use his mirrors and almost collected Schumacher as he returned to the track. Webber climbed to second place while Massa, using the softer tyres, finally broke into the top ten, taking tenth place.

The final five minutes saw all the drivers venture out but for Webber his last run was cut short as his Red Bull racer broke down on track with a suspected engine problem.

Times:

01. Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:28.280 30 laps
02. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:28.378 + 0.098 24 laps
03. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:28.590 + 0.310 26 laps
04. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:28.672 + 0.392 32 laps
05. Alonso Ferrari 1:28.725 + 0.445 30 laps
06. Rosberg Mercedes 1:28.914 + 0.634 22 laps
07. Schumacher Mercedes 1:28.974 + 0.694 22 laps
08. Kubica Renault 1:29.225 + 0.945 34 laps
09. Petrov Renault 1:29.501 + 1.221 36 laps
10. Massa Ferrari 1:29.620 + 1.340 26 laps
11. Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:29.629 + 1.349 16 laps
12. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1:29.987 + 1.707 17 laps
13. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:30.053 + 1.773 34 laps
14. de la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari 1:30.176 + 1.896 34 laps
15. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:30.386 + 2.106 32 laps
16. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:30.627 + 2.347 28 laps
17. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:30.766 + 2.486 32 laps
18. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:30.933 + 2.653 37 laps
19. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1:31.610 + 3.330 37 laps
20. di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1:33.013 + 4.733 28 laps
21. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1:33.081 + 4.801 11 laps
22. Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:33.312 + 5.032 29 laps
23. Senna HRT-Cosworth 1:33.420 + 5.140 35 laps
24. Chandhok HRT-Cosworth 1:33.740 + 5.460 25 laps

Source: Planet-F1

Prac One: Hamilton blitzes the competition

Lewis Hamilton set a blistering pace around the Istanbul Otodrom on Friday morning, almost a full second up on his nearest rival

With McLaren's f-duct and revised front wing in action, Hamilton crossed the line with a 1:28.653, to beat his team-mate Jenson Button by 0.962.

And although Mercedes GP tried to take the charge to McLaren, using their longer wheelbase car, Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg fell short, both over a second adrift of Hamilton's impressive lap time.

Red Bull and Renault were next in line with Sebastian Vettel and Robert Kubica having the edge over their respective team-mates.

Report: A nice warm start to the Turkish GP with the track temperature sitting at 28'C as the first of Friday's two practice session got underway at the Istanbul Otodrom. The temperature and design of the track mean tyre wear could be high with Bridgestone predicting that some could suffer with severe graining.

The drivers were quickly out on track for their installation laps with Hispania test driver Sakon Yamamoto the only change to the usual 24 drivers. It was a strange start, though, as some drivers such as Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg and Lucas di Grassi completed as many as five laps without even setting a time.

Yamamoto set the first time of the session, a 1:38.785, shaving almost two seconds off over the next few laps. More drivers finally ventured out after the first half an hour had lapsed with Jaime Alguersuari taking the P1 slot ahead of Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli. Karun Chandhok ventured out for his first run but immediately ran into problems with his car slowly touring the track at 33kph. He was, however, able to return to the pits.

Vettel hit the front of the timesheets with a 1:31.718 while Schumacher, using Merc's long wheelbase car, went quicker through the first two sectors before once again pitting. It was his seventh lap without a time. Vettel went quicker still, lowering the benchmark to a 1:30.840.

Halfway through the session on a very dirty track, Vitaly Petrov was second ahead of Mark Webber, Alguersuari, Kovalainen, Nico Hulkenberg, Jarno Trulli and Rubens Barrichello.

With the track getting cleaner with each run, Robert Kubica joined the action, going quickest while Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton slotted in behind Vettel. Felipe Massa was fifth.

Webber improved to third place ahead of the McLarens before Hamilton overhauled the entire field, going P1 with a 1:29.672. Schumacher, running a bit wide at the final corner, climbed to second place before being dropped as Button went fastest.

With the front runners all putting in the laps, the timesheets continued to change although McLaren remained P1 and P2, now with Hamilton leading Button. Behind the McLarens and Schumacher, raged the battle for fourth with the two Red Bulls and Renaults swapping positions.
With twenty minutes remaining, Rosberg joined Schumacher in the battle against the McLarens taking third place. However, he was still a full second slower than Hamilton. Fernando Alonso finally put his Ferrari into the top ten, taking ninth place while his team-mate Felipe Massa failed to improve on his P12.

The final five minutes saw Schumacher overhaul Rosberg before Adrian Sutil brought out the yellow flags as he put his Force India into the wall at Turn Eight, causing considerable damage to the car.

The session ended with Hamilton quickest ahead of Button and Schumacher.

Times:

01. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:28.653 20 laps
02. Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:29.615 + 0.962 20 laps
03. Schumacher Mercedes 1:29.750 + 1.097 24 laps
04. Rosberg Mercedes 1:29.855 + 1.202 24 laps
05. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:29.867 + 1.214 30 laps
06. Kubica Renault 1:30.061 + 1.408 23 laps
07. Petrov Renault 1:30.065 + 1.412 24 laps
08. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:30.097 + 1.444 26 laps
09. Alonso Ferrari 1:30.294 + 1.641 20 laps
10. Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:30.501 + 1.848 17 laps
11. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:30.615 + 1.962 20 laps
12. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:30.853 + 2.200 21 laps
13. Massa Ferrari 1:30.867 + 2.214 21 laps
14. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:31.011 + 2.358 23 laps
15. de la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari 1:31.238 + 2.585 17 laps
16. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1:31.355 + 2.702 23 laps
17. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:31.464 + 2.811 19 laps
18. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:31.735 + 3.082 27 laps
19. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1:32.161 + 3.508 24 laps
20. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1:32.990 + 4.337 22 laps
21. Chandhok HRT-Cosworth 1:34.876 + 6.223 13 laps
22. di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1:35.137 + 6.484 21 laps
23. Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:35.583 + 6.930 15 laps
24. Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth 1:36.137 + 7.484 26 laps

Source: Planet-F1