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Former Williams F1 driver
David Coulthard refers to Istanbul Park as “a modern day classic”. The
track undulates and it has several fast corners, which require
aerodynamic performance from the cars and commitment from the drivers.
The most challenging corner on the lap is the quadruple-apex Turn 8,
through which the drivers pull 5G for nearly seven seconds. The entry to
the corner is blind and there’s a bump mid-corner that tries to throw
the cars off-line.
Being the first of only five anti-clockwise circuits on the calendar,
it’s a physical track for the drivers because the left side of the neck
takes a pounding. “As long as you put the necessary work in beforehand,
you’re okay,” says AT&T Williams driver Rubens Barrichello. “However fit
you are, though, you’ll begin to feel your neck by the end of this race.
It’s tough.”
Sam Michael, Technical Director:
We're bringing a number of upgrades to the FW33 over the next few races,
starting with Istanbul. The package for Turkey will include new brake
ducts, revised front wing and rear wings, plus some other secondary
items. Combined, these components should give the FW33 a decent step‐up
in performance. Our objective is to get the car into the points as soon
as possible.
Istanbul Park has a great layout for the drivers to get their teeth
into. In particular, it boasts an excellent natural overtaking spot at
the end of the back straight. Turkey has the notorious Turn 8, a
left‐hander which places considerable loads on the car’s aerodynamics. A
car that can handle those pressures, combined with one capable of some
significant kerb riding through the last sequence of corners, is
critical at this track.
Rubens Barrichello:
I want to have a more competitive weekend with the team than we have had
so far this season. We have new parts coming for Turkey which will
hopefully work in our favour. I love Istanbul Park. It is one of the
most challenging circuits on the calendar and we will aim to be flat out
there. Everyone says Turn 8 is a highlight, and it is, but I also find
the circuit nice from a set‐up point of view with qualifying also a good
challenge. I like the track as a whole.
Pastor Maldonado:
I’ve been to Istanbul Park four or five times and I think it is a good
circuit to race on. Last year I had one of my best races of the season
in Istanbul racing in GP2. If we can get the car performing as we want
to this weekend, it will be a good event for us. Turn 8 is my favourite
part of the circuit as it is an amazing, very long and fast corner. It
is also quite a technical circuit. We are improving and I hope we can
jump forward with the upgrades we have here and be more competitive.
Race Data
Friday:
Practice 1: 10:00 - 11:30
Practice 2: 14:00 - 15:30
Saturday:
Practice 3: 11:00 - 12:00
Qualifying: 14:00 – 15:00
Sunday: Race: 15:00
From Cosworth’s
perspective:
Istanbul Park is one of the most complicated circuits on the Formula One
calendar with a varied mix of high, medium and low‐speed sections which
puts engines through a tough workout. The vagaries of the track require
effective power delivery from the bottom end of the rev range right up
to peak power output. The multi‐apex Turn 8 remains a stiff challenge
for drivers and demands a consistent response from the engine at
high‐speed. Good traction is critical upon the exit of Turn 12 to
negotiate the slow final section of the lap.
The track’s location at 125m above sea level and with almost 46m of
elevation change over the lap exacerbates the demands placed on the
engine.
From Pirelli’s perspective:
Turkey is a very exciting track, and from Pirelli's perspective it is
almost our second home race: the Izmit factory, where all the Formula
One tyres are made, is only half an hour away from the circuit.
Istanbul Park is a very demanding track for tyres as we normally see
high temperatures on top of some very challenging corners. Like
everyone, we were pleased to see Williams get both cars to the finish in
China and with the depth of experience that is clear to anyone who has
worked with the team, we're sure it's not going to be long before the
team is hitting all of its targets.
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