Istanbul Report  –Straggling behind

Out of this world

The brand new Istanbul racetrack didn’t look much on paper, although the PlayStation 2 gave it a bit more life with the latest 2005 Formula One game. Being a brand new track, which had never seen a Formula One car in its life, it was hard to know what the expectations would be, seeing as there was little or no data on what to expect. The first Practice sessions therefore saw an army of Formula One cars exit the pit lane once the lights went green, with Panasonic Toyota Racing completing a healthy number of laps to finish up with a car in the top six. The track looking more like one of the most challenging ever, with Turn 8 being the most courageous, as cars ran wide, spun or simply failed to find the fastest route around.

As the sunset and the final Practice session of the opening day came to a close, Toyota were left with something to celebrate; as Ricardo Zonta topped the times with a quick lap, half a second clear of the McLaren’s. Race drivers Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher were back in the pack with ninth and sixteenth, but happy with their overall times seeing as today was more about learning than finding the optimum balance.     

Forever Turn 8

The final Practice session on Saturday would see both Toyota’s heading into Qualifying having set the eighth and twelfth fastest times, setting up a solid top ten start for tomorrows race. But as we all know, it’s never that easy.

Qualifying turned into, well, a turn. A single turn in fact, one, which would either destroy or make a lap. Turn 8 had already become a leading phrase amongst drivers in the paddock, as they try and navigate their way around it. And as expected, it throws a double… eight when it came down to the single lap. Jacques Villeneuve and Jenson Button had their laps destroyed by this forever turning corner, with Villeneuve spinning and Button slidding wide. It would turn out to be a corner I quiet enjoyed, adding load to the tyres, forcing the drivers to attack or not bother at all is what we want to see in Formula One, maybe something which should be looked at with other circuits on the Formula One calendar.

For Toyota it was good news and bad news time. Jarno Trulli put in a quick lap to take up fifth, whilst teammate Ralf Schumacher made a mistake at Turn 9, yet still able to line up ninth on the grid. Kimi Raikkonen headed the time sheets whilst Michael Schumacher spun his Ferrari at the same corner as Ralf, Turn 9.

Edged out by our main rival(s)

Just like in Germany and Hungary, a Toyota would be involved in a first corner incident. Newly signed Ferrari driver Felipe Massa forced Ralf Schumacher wide at the first corner, relegating him to the back of the field. It was unfortunate, but unavoidable, which would kill any chance of points, as Ralf would have to fight his way up through the field. Meantime Jarno Trulli was keeping up with the leading McLaren’s and Renault’s until Jenson Button’s high horse BAR got past, leaving Jarno straggling behind. This was a turning point, as the two Japanese rivals raced one behind each other, with Honda leading Toyota. Whilst the top five rushed off into the distance, Jarno’s Toyota had nothing left, once again, struggling for pace during the second half of the race.  

Jarno would finish a satisfactory sixth, a mile behind his expectations of a podium, whilst Ralf could only manage twelfth after a hard fought race on a two-stop stratergy.

Unhappily fast

There was only ever going to be one stand out driver of the day come Sunday, a driver who will be wishing it was the start of the season and not the near end. Jenson Button and BAR proved their 2004 results were no joke, as the Brit battled hard from thirteenth on the grid, to finish 40 seconds behind race winner Kimi Raikkonen with fifth. BAR look to have a stronger package than Toyota now, who will be going head to head when we visit Japan in a couple of months time.

Championship looking more in favour of Alonso

With five races to go, and with a 24-point difference, Fernando Alonso is looking more likely at taking the 2005 Formula One World Championship. In Turkey, McLaren proved to have the faster car and now the reliability, but it’s all a bit too late, as Alonso only has to finish behind Raikkonen at every race to be crowded the champion. The constructor’s championship looks to be more in McLaren’s favour, who are still searching for their first one-two finish of the season.

Flat out for Toyota!

Everyone is now off on their well deserved break (apart from Ferrari who are testing every other day…). August is a time for reflection, recharging the batteries for the final push later in the year. Toyota will be keeping their hands busy with the up and coming 2006 car, as well as the rumoured ‘B Spec’ racer due out in time for the Italian Grand Prix. But if like me you feel the aid of hugging your steering wheel every other Sunday, rest assure, Toyota and the gage are back in action in 3 weeks time, where hopefully our run of good luck shall continue!

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