Sidepodcast - All for F1 and F1 for all

Turkey 2011 - Race information - Get up to date on all you need to know about Istanbul

Published by Christine

After a packed start to the 2011 season, Formula One has taken three weeks off to recover, but returns to action this weekend in Turkey. We've got three races under our belts, and still the teams and drivers are getting used to the new regulations for this year. At Turkey, things should be set to continue in the same fashion, as the conditions change once more.

Event schedule

Lewis Hamilton broke Red Bull's grip on the top step of the podium last time out in China, taking the win from Sebastian Vettel. The German crossed the line five seconds behind, which his teammate a further two seconds back, so although it wasn't a Red Bull victory, the boys from Milton Keynes don't have too much to worry about just yet.

That said, there will be updates aplenty on the cars this weekend, as a little time back in the factory will have allowed teams some space to think and regroup. We already know that Williams are planning some serious changes, bringing on board Mike Coughlan next month, but what other changes will have taken place down the pit lane?

Session Timetable
DateDaySessionTime (GMT+1)Time (Local)
6 MayFridayFree Practice 108:0010:00
Free Practice 212:0014:00
7 MaySaturdayFree Practice 309:0011:00
Qualifying12:0014:00
8 MaySundayGrand Prix13:0015:00

Support racing for this event includes GP2, GP3, Porsche GT3 Cup and the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.

The weather

The long range weather forecasts for Turkey have been predicting rain for the entire weekend, and as the first sessions creep ever closer, that doesn't look set to change any time soon.

The rain looks light during Friday and Saturday, but is said to be getting heavier as the weekend progresses.

showers

Istanbul Park, Friday

28℃

  • Low 13℃
  • Humidity 62%

Light rain

showers

Istanbul Park, Saturday

15℃

  • Low 11℃
  • Humidity 95%

Light rain showers

rain

Istanbul Park, Saturday

21℃

  • Low 10℃
  • Humidity 68%

Heavy rain showers

Circuit map

Istanbul Park Circuit Map
Istanbul Park Circuit MapCredit: FIA

The circuit

Circuit Data
NameIstanbul Park Circuit
LocationTurkey
TimezoneGMT +0300
First Race2005
Laps58
Length5.338 km
Distance309.396 km
Start / Finish Offset0.208 km

The main feature of the Istanbul Park track is Turn 8, the multi-apex corner that presents a real challenge for the drivers, both in terms of control, and because of the G forces applied. It's also one of five anti-clockwise circuits, the first on the 2011 calendar, which adds strain to the neck muscles of every single driver on the grid.

Top speeds can get up to 313kph, and although conditions are usually warm and dry, this weekend is looking set to present a whole new set of challenges.

2010 Results
SessionDriverTeamTimeLinks
Free Practice 1Lewis HamiltonMcLaren1:28.653Live / Results
Free Practice 2Jenson ButtonMcLaren1:28.280Live / Results
Free Practice 3Sebastian VettelRed Bull1:27.086Live / Results
QualifyingMark WebberRed Bull1:26.295Live / Results
Grand PrixLewis HamiltonMcLaren1:28:47.620Live / Results
Fastest LapVitaly PetrovRenault1:29.165

Tyre compounds

Hard and soft compounds
Hard and soft compoundsCredit: Pirelli

Press conference schedule

Official press conferences are organised by the FIA and happen four times during the weekend. The qualifying and post race press conferences will take place after the television unilateral interviews.

Press Conference Schedule
DayTime (Local)AttendeeRepresenting
Thursday15:00Timo GlockVirgin
Lewis HamiltonMcLaren
Heikki KovalainenLotus
Felipe MassaFerrari
Vitaly PetrovRenault
Adrian SutilForce India
Friday16:00Robert FernleyForce India
Mike GascoyneLotus
Norbert HaugMercedes
Christian HornerRed Bull
Franz TostToro Rosso
Martin WhitmarshMcLaren
SaturdayPost qualifyingThree fastest drivers
SundayPost raceFirst three finishing drivers

Race stewards

The FIA stewarding process was changed last year to include a former F1 driver to give added insight. These are the stewards overseeing this weekend's action.

F1 Stewards
NamePosition
Derek WarwickFormer F1 driver and World Sportscar Champion
Lars ÖsterlandFIA World Council Member and Honorary President of Swedish Automobile Sport Federation
Silvia BellotGraduate of the FIA Trainee Steward Programme

All content in the series Turkey 2011