Max Verstappen was fastest in both sessions while Mercedes struggle to find the groove. Charles Leclerc is best of the rest, but the times may yet be unrepresentative.
Free Practice Faux Pas
The new surface of the track caused havoc during the practice sessions at Istanbul Park. Almost every car spun at one point and the times were slower than 2011 GP2 times in FP1. While the times would improve, the track is still not to many driver’s liking and rain is predicted at multiple points over the weekend.
Top of the pack
Verstappen topped both sessions for the Red Bull team but has admitted that he expects Mercedes to catch up. The Dutchman made up 7 seconds between the sessions and was over 0.5s faster than the constructors champions by the end of the day. Albon was 2nd in the first session, but slipped back to 5th 1 second behind. The Thai driver is under intense scrutiny for a drive next season and needs a strong result this weekend.
Leclerc was the next best driver with 3rd and 2nd overall. Despite destroying a bollard with an off track excursion, the Monegasque was able to post competitive times, en route to taking 45 laps in FP2. Vettel was an encouraging 5th in FP1, but fell back to 8th in the later session. Ferrari will be looking to extend the gap to Alpha Tauri, who are fast approaching their 6th place in the constructors.
Mercedes wrapped up their 7th consecutive constructor’s championship in Imola, but they were not so happy after Friday’s running. Their drivers did improve from 9th and 15th to 3rd and 4th, but they face numerous struggles setting up the car. Bottas bested Hamilton both times, but needs to outscore Hamilton by 7 points if he is to keep his championship hopes alive.
Rest of the grid
Alpha Tauri continue their strong progress during the latter half of the season and Kyvat impressed with two 6th places. Gasly went better in FP1 achieving 4th, but fell to 7th in FP2.
The battle for 3rd in the constructors is insanely tight, with 1 point separating Renault, McLaren and Racing Point. The Pink cars look to be in the best shape, improving from 12th and 13th to 9th and 11th. Stroll won the team mate battle with the fastest time in FP2. McLaren followed as Norris placed 7th and 10th, but Sainz didn’t fare as well. The Spaniard retired from 19th with technical issues in FP1, but could only manage 14th in FP2. Renault were last in this pack and Ocon bested Ricciardo in both sessions. The Frenchman recorded a 10th and 12th placed finishes while the Australian could only manage 18th and 15th.
It is a complete mix up at the back of the pack. Giovinazzi managed the best time and went 13th in FP2 while Raikkonen trailed in 16th. Haas were not able to match the pace, but were still able to finish in front of Latifi. Russell was not much higher, finishing 17th in the second session.
It could be a highly unpredictable weekend and with many close battles in the midfield, numerous teams will have to capitalise. Throw in another variable, like rain predicted for both days, and we could have a major upset during F1’s return to Turkey.
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