Despite all on-track action going on during this Turkish GP, Sebastian Vettel didn't have to car too much as he kept ahead of everyone all the way through the race. Mark Webber completed a perfect race for Red Bull while Fernando Alonso secured the first podium for Ferrari this season.
Exactly, it's all down to pit strategy/opportunities. Such as Alonso in Monaco '10, as i recall it from last on the grid he only passed the new teams on track, and still ended up 6th (well, 7th, then 6th as per FIA). That of course was a much easier to understand race than China '11, just too many things happening in China, but serves as a simple example.
n smikle wrote:
One of the many reasons why I think Webber's China race was overblown.
Analysis: The magic of Turn 8 Provided by Mercedes GP
Although the Turkish Grand Prix is a relatively new addition to the calendar, its Turn 8 has already found an entry into Formula 1 folklore as one of the best corners of the season.
The high-speed triple apex turn challenges cars, drivers and tyres to the limits - and will once again be a focus of attention at Istanbul this weekend thanks to Pirelli's first event at the venue.
Ahead of the grand prix, Mercedes GP has issued a statistical analysis of the corner - which highlights just how impressive the corner is, and how it compares with other famous turns on the calendar like 130R at Suzuka or Pouhon at Spa-Francorchamps.
Turn Eight is the longest corner of the season. What are the key facts?
Turn Eight is 640m long - which equates to 12 per cent of the total lap distance of 5.338 km - and lasts for 8.5s, equivalent to 10% of the current lap record of 1:24.770 set in 2005. Drivers generally take three apexes, the slowest of which is at 260 km/h, with an average corner speed of 270 km/h.
How does this compare to the other longest and fastest corners of the season?
Turn Eight presents a unique combination of very high speeds and sustained load. In terms of time spent in the corner, the cornering phase through Turns one and two in Shanghai totals 8.7s - which exceeds Turn Eight - but during deceleration rather than at sustained high speed. The Parabolica at Monza lasts for 7.6s, and Barcelona's Turn Three for 7.4s. In terms of speed, comparable corners are 130R at Suzuka (3.7s, 315m) and Copse at Silverstone (3s, 240m) - both have a duration of less than half that of Turn Eight. In terms of distance, the season's next longest corners are Parabolica at Monza (470m) and Spa's Pouhon (460m) - both are over 25% shorter than Turn Eight.
What G-forces do the drivers experience in Turn Eight? The peak G-force is 5G, while a level of 4.5G is sustained for two seconds. The average G-force in the corner is 3.5G.
What demands does this place on the tyres?
Turn Eight is the most demanding corner of the season in terms of tyre energy. Although it represents just 12% of the total lap distance, this corner alone accounts for approximately 40% of the total tyre energy during the lap at Istanbul Park. Of the car's four corners, the right-hand front tyre is worked hardest.
What loadings are the cars subjected to in the corner?
The peak suspension loadings through the corner are over 10,000N - equivalent to a force of 1,000kg, or over 150% the total car weight. The average loading on the right-hand front is 7,000N. The corner also imposes vertical G-forces owing to the bumpy surface between the first and second apexes: the variation between +0.5G and -0.8G feels harsh to the drivers.
How does car set-up take account of the corner?
Car set-up must take this corner into specific consideration, notably in terms of tyre camber settings and ride heights, particularly at the rear of the car.
What do the drivers think of the corner?
For seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, the corner is "not particularly difficult to drive but one of the season's longest and pretty fast." Performance in the corner is car-dependent: "It's very heavy on the tyres, and the way you drive the corner largely depends on the car and how you have set it up. That compromise might make it tricky, so we need to wait and see how it goes." In contrast, team-mate Nico Rosberg finds it "one of the most challenging corners of the year" owing to the high speed and prolonged G-loadings. "If I had to create a fantasy F1 circuit, this corner would definitely be included!"
Interesting desicion to put the DRS detection directly after turn 8, when it could be at the exit of turn 9 instead. After t8 the gap between two battling cars will almost certainly be greater than at any other part of the lap.
My worry is, will a significantly faster car be unable to remain within a second around t8, and so lose the chance of using DRS that it deserves?
A pointer may be Lewis running behind the Red Bulls in the 2010 race. the McLaren was probably a faster car overall, they stuck like glue to the back of the Bulls in the first part of the race. Their advantage was through slow corners and on straights with the best f-duct. But lap on lap Lewis lost bags of time following at t8, partly due to compromised aero. Net result: almost no chance to overtake at 11 or 1, even with the better f-duct.
Indeed. T8 will produce a lot of dirty wake; the cars would probably only be within 0.7 of one another at maximum through T8. Talking of the 2010 McL in Turkey, it was obvious that they had a very strong front end on that car, at least at that point in the season; The turn in in slow corners was mighty; and it didn't seem to care that it was running in dirty air; I think we'll have to see if any of the cars have that kind of nose this year.
Got to see the Formula Football charity event this evening. It was coming to the stadium which was barely 1 kilometer from where I live so couldn't resist lol. From F1 drivers there were d'Ambrosio, Petrov and Vettel. Expected to see Alonso and Schumi, both didn't show up. Wished for Lewis to show up (as an outside bet) but as expected he wasn't there. Vettel received a real warm welcome from the crowd. He plays football a little girlish, but no one gives a f..k(as should be) since he can drive lol. He signed lots of mags, allowed fans to take photos with him etc. I wasn't expecting such a thing (there was no fence between the pitch and the stands) so missed a chance for an autograph (gave it a thought about handing him a blank white page to sign lol).
The game was a snorefest Hopefully the race won't be. The 2008 Formula Footbal event was much better. But the opportunity to see a world star from close range (hint: looks like a human) was too good to miss tbh.
Nothing to do with the race itself, just my thoughts if anyone's interested. Move at your own peril mods !
About the weather:
The weather was overcast all day with heavy showers the previous night. The second half of the game there was a slight drizzle. The recent weather forecast for sunday seems a little bit better than the one I previously posted. Says lots of rain for friday though.
Education is that which allows a nation free, independent, reputable life, and function as a high society; or it condemns it to captivity and poverty.
-Atatürk
I am really surprised by the open and honest manner in which Nikolas Tombazis spoke about where the team stood in terms of performance and innovation. I cannot see how updates to the F150 would have a significant impact on their comparative pace.
Thanks Shrieker for the report on F1 football.
I believe this will be another Red Bull vs Mclaren affair, with Renault possibly getting another podium if those two mess up. I am wondering will Sauber be able to make an impact considering they are so soft on their tires?
Lastly, what will the impact be of the cold weather on tire degradation, or is the temperature negligible with the kind of forces apparent on turn 8 etc?
Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
Im going left field and putting money on Massa to win. Massa was very fast in China and with the right strategy would have been in the mix for the win.
He is a turkey specialist and Ferrari have new aero kit for there car here including flexing wing like RBR (ferrari words).
I dont buy into the Alonso crap that the cars no good. He just cant take being beaten my a team mate again...
HampusA wrote:I predict this will be another Hamilton weekend. What he did in GP2 there i will never forget.
+1 , That was a moment when I realised his talent too. I was surprised back then the when his name was linked with McLaren seat, but when I did a little search and saw that race later...I'll never forget it too.
Hopefully the race won't be. The 2008 Formula Footbal event was much better. But the opportunity to see a world star from close range (hint: looks like a human) was too good to miss tbh.
