The 2009 Turkish Grand Prix Thread

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Grand Prix Preview (courtesy: The FIA) - For team previews visit the 2009 F1 Team Reports Forum

The seventh event of the Formula One calendar takes place at the Istanbul Park Circuit. The purpose built track was designed by German architect Herman Tilke and is located on the Asian side of Istanbul approximately 90 kilometres from the city centre. Constructed in 2005, one of the circuit’s unusual features is that the racing cars run in an anti-clockwise direction around the circuit.


Istanbul Park Circuit follows the natural contours of the land and features various dips and falls. It is composed of 14 curves, six of which are right turns while the remaining eight are left turns. The circuit runs over four level sections with rising and descending grades. The left-handed triple apex turn eight always tests competitors’ abilities. Taken at around 250kph this turn can generate some of the highest G-forces seen on any circuit. With track speeds reaching up to 321kph and temperatures reaching up to 55 degrees Celsius, the Istanbul Park Circuit is challenging for both drivers and teams and provides spectators with much excitement.

ISTANBUL – CIRCUIT GRAPHICS


CHANGES TO THE CIRCUIT SINCE 2008

- The back of the apex kerbs at turns 9 and 12 have been graded to prevent a car from launching.
- Speed bumps, similar to turn 2 in Barcelona, have been installed behind the apex of turn 10.
- Additional conveyor belts have been added mid way through tyre barriers at turns 1, 7, 9 and 12.

ISTANBUL PARK CIRCUIT – INTERESTING FACTS

- The maximum vertical slope is 8.145 per cent.
- Over 124,000 rubber barriers are used for security on the circuit.

Circuit data

Length of lap: 5.338km
Offset: 0.208km
Total number of race laps: 58
Total race distance: 309.396km
Speed limits in the pit lane: 60km/h during practice sessions; 100km/h during race

Formula One time table

Friday

Practice Session 1: 10.00 – 11.30 hrs
Practice Session 2: 14.00 – 15.30 hrs

Saturday

Practice Session 3: 11.00 – 12.00 hrs
Qualifying: 14.00 – 15.00 hrs

Sunday
Race: 15.00 hrs

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First Friday practice session from Turkey underway. It is 23 degrees already while track temperature is at 32 degrees

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Cars are out on the track for their installation laps

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Only Raikkonen, the 2 Red Bulls and Barrichello have yet to go out

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Webber completes his installation lap, Barrichello now on the track

No times set yet

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Barrichello stays out for a second lap!

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Raikkonen on the track as well

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Buemi back on the track.

Vettel too

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Heidfeld back on the track as well

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Buemi back in the pits with no time set

Only Heidfeld on the track

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Heidfeld pits. Looks like no grip out there

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The 2 Brawns are back on the track.

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The 2 Brawns pit. No times set yet!

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Will be interesting to see if Toyota will be competitive here unlike their dismal showing in Monaco

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30 minutes into the session and there are no times set yet!

Kubica back on the track