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The race purely dominated by Reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel. He again proved he is unbeatable.
About the circuit
The track is famous for its multi-apex left hander at turn 8 and its one of the three anti-clockwise circuit this year. There were not ample grounds for overtaking on the circuit, but DRS and KERS allowed overtaking almost on every lap.Track was hard on tyre as four stops were necessitated to win.
Practice Sessions - Turkish GP
The first practice session allowed for the first time testing of wet weather Pirelli tyres. Rain hit Session saw Vettel crashing out of the race that caused him to stay in garage for the second session also. Rain saw Ferrari leaping their way to top. But they soon get faded away in dry. But it was Mercedes who showed real talent of reaching podium in the practice sessions. For the first time this season, Mercedes were looking in control, even managed to beat Mclaren and were in position to compete with Red Bull. Practice sessions showed that backmarker HRT can this time beat their closest rivals Virgin out of the race.
After three weeks of break, all the teams tested for their upgrades. Some got benefited but others were steadily progressing.
Turkish GP - Practice Session 1
Turkish GP - Practice Session 2
Turkish GP - Practice Session 3
Qualifying Session - Turkish GP
Qualifying saw the triumph of Red Bull continuing as Sebastian Vettel went on to record the 19th pole of his career without even taking a second run in the final qualifying session thus saving tyres.
As the rain did not play its part, it was all top 5 running teams that captured the top 10 slots. Kamui Kobayashi was out in Q1 as his car stopped with Felipe Massa unable to note time in final session due to some mechanical problems. But it was Mercedes day out as Nico Rosberg qualified third and had beaten Mclaren and Ferrari fair and square.
It was HRT at the back who had taken control over Virgin as Liuzzi outqualified Timo Glock.
Michael again upsetting his fans as he only qualified 8th for the race.
Williams after a worst start of their season were looking to score their first point of the season as they were able to qualify ahead of other midfielders.
Turkish GP - Qualifying
Race - Turkish GP
This season is giving us memorable races. It was again one of the fantastic race of all time. Lot of overtaking but one thing was definite.... Sebastian Vettel winning the race. He was like a solid mountain remained on top for most part of the race. For the places behind, there were uncertainty to whom we will support but for first place, it was only Sebastian Vettel.
It was the race every one will remember for all its Overtaking manoeuvers and bravehearts kissing each other's car to get the position.
Almost everyman on track was overtaken atleast once except that for "Sebastian Vettel". The man was unbeatable. From Pole to podium, it seemed a walk in a park for him. As no one ever closes him to get the position. With the start form the lap as he cruised his way past to lap down 11drives on track in the end.
The race saw some of the drivers hammering down others, as the pit stop strategy became essential for win, even some of the top teams had major problem during pits also. Problem with Massa, Hamilton, Button pit stop caused them some of the points.
There was a hard fought battle for second place in the end between Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso. Webber took the second position from Alonso on Lap 51 but had there been one or two laps into the race, it might Alonso on the 2nd position.
Finally, Fernando Alonso eager to win was seen in his Ferrari. This was the first podium finish for Ferrari this season. As the overnight change in speed of car was unimaginable. The car was not even a competition in Qualifying to Mclaren and Mercedes also, and now even managed to challenge Red Bull.
Mclaren lost due to their pit strategy but it was Mercedes who lost the most. Their competitive skills looked vanishing into the air. Williams also were not able to turn their fortune.
Team Lotus continued their good progress at the back.
Turkish GP - Race
Team Analysis:
Red Bull -There are no words to define Red Bull triumph. As the team leading the world championship, defending their title, showed all why they are 'what they are known for'. Almost losing in the first practice session, team dominance continues as the weekend progressed with Sebastian Vettel unstoppable for others. Mark Webber also never let the team down. Although some KERS problem still haunt the team but they will work everything out in Spain.
10/10 points.
Mclaren - After a continuing strong performance from the start of the season, Mclaren tried to prove it once more, but this time, they were stopped by Mercedes in Practice, Qualifying and in Race due to their own pit mistakes, they were left behind. But nevertheless, this team can turn the fortunes of Red Bull and are giving competition to everyone out there.
8.5/10 points
Ferrari - After a poor performance in practice and qualifying, they made everyone scratching their heads, when they tried to take on Red Bull at top. Fernando drove superbly but Massa was not able to convert it to points after a disastrous pit stop. Team is trying to prove its name once again and will surely the one to watch out in the next race.
8.0/10 points
Mercedes - Mercedes was an improved team once again after getting the speed from chinese grand prix. They have surely ended their poor performance at the start of the season and can bring back the competition that they promised in Practice and Qualifying Session during Turkish Grand Prix. Although they were not able to convert the result as they qualified but still more to come in next races. The team had a poor performance during the race. Car showed reliability problem. Rosberg was outpaced while Schumi had collision that caused him the race.
7.5/10 points
Renault - Renault continue to perform just ahead of midfielders. But their performance has surely been compromised by the improving Ferrari and Mercedes. They need to gear up as they did not looked as competitive as they can be in Turkish Grand Prix. Even after bringing out the upgrades they were outqualified but still there reliability proved which put them in top 8 in the race.
7.0/10 points
Toro Rosso - After an average performance during the practice session and qualifying, they come quite competitive during the race as far as midfielders are concerned. Buemi three stop strategy watched him finishing on 9th while Alguersuari could have finished higher on table if his mistake would not have caused him a driver through penalty. But overall they managed to clearly taken a lead over the other midfielders.
5.5/10 points
Sauber - The team were not able to put a strong performance during Qualifying as well as in practice also but Kamui Kobayashi strong driving again able to gave them the points in race. Sergio Perez is learning F1 as his debut year progress.
5.0/10 points
Force India - Force India were not able to produce what they have promised before the race. Their upgrades fail to compete the midfielders also. Their reliability was also hampered as Paul Di Resta had to retire from the race. They were unable to clear the midfielders after a good qualifying and practice.
4.5/10 points
Williams - After a weak performance from the start, Williams were able to bring the car back into fighting spirit until Race Day. During race they failed yet again to achieve their first point of the season. Although team is improving but they need to work a lot harder to convert their 15th place finish on the board. They had a good practice and Qualifying session as it showed their progress.
3.5/10 points
Team Lotus - Lotus were again ahead of the other two new comers. They are now able to come even more closer to the midfielders. They can with few upgrades can able to put some drivers behind them. Their lap times improved. But as far as comparison with the top team, they are still no match. So they have to work hard to beat the others. May be caterham purchase can put some fortune into their pockets.
3.0/10 points.
Virgin - Virgin was a poor performer during practice, qualifying as well as in race. They were now beatable by HRT. Their improved car was not a match with the improved HRT pace also. Timo Glock did not start the race due to gear box problem. Although Ambrosio was able to finish ahead of HRT during race but it is only due to reliability issue in HRT.
2.0/10 points.
HRT - HRT's hard work paid them with double finish in the end again. Their major goal of reliability to finish is complete but still reliability is needed to keep them on track as they were 3 and 5 laps down at the end of the race. They have improved on speed, were able to outqualify one of the Virgin. They are improving and can beat Virgin and then can move ahead with their next goal.
2.0/10 points.
