Turkish Qualifying Results: The Gang Of Four Continue Dominance
Written by George Katinger · August 20, 2005
Yes boys and girls, the top four qualifyers all wear the colors of blue and yellow or black and silver. That would be Raikkonen, Fisichella, Alonso and Montoya. The surprises are all mid-field and the tail end charlie starting from P20.
speedtv.com: Raikkonen Confirms Favoritism with Turkish GP Pole
motorsport.com: Turkish GP: Michelin Saturday qualifying notes
paddocktalk.com: McLaren, Renault Fight for F1 Constructors Title - Everything is on the Line
f1racing.net: Ferraris ‘worse than expected’
f1.racing-live: Takuma Sato put to the back of the grid
today.reuters.co.uk: Ferrari write off their Turkish Grand Prix chances
portal.telegraph.co.uk: Beware of the dogs on roller-coaster circuit
Last on the grid is current world champion Michael Schumacher, who suffered a non-recoverable spin and posted no time. Many drivers seemed to suffer from a lack of familiarity with the new track and commited errors that were costly in time and starting places. Doornbos Karthikayan and Villeneuve also posted no times, and Button, Ralf, and Sato bobbled their way to the deep end of the grid.
It will be an interesting start, as the McLarens and Renault’s dice their way into the first turn with the balance of the grid snapping at their heels. I expect the lead four cars to tiptoe around turn one, taking advantage of only a safe passing opportunity if presented. There is too much on the line for both teams, the only wild card is Juan Montoya who insists he only cares about winning the race. You know he will be given a stern and clear cut message about the importance to the team of scoring points for the constructor’s title. Any risky or race ending foolishness on his part will not be well recieved.
If there are any turn one fireworks expect them to come from Trulli, Heidfeld or Webber starting behind the lead four. Especially from the Williams pair, who are both desperate for podiums or wins. Snatching a place or two at the start may help their ultimate finishing positions. Obviously they are not yet ready to claim wins, but on a new track, you never know. Especially if the leaders fall victim to mistakes or breakdowns. A win is a win, wether you’re the fastest car out there or inherit it, Webber or Quick Nick will not turn away a victory, earned or otherwise. And it’s exactly what Frank and Patrick need to reinforce their team funding efforts.
A new track, desperate drivers and titles on the line, I won’t even risk a guess as to the outcome. I do know it won’t be a Ferrari. Sorry Michael, it’s time to go; at least Rubens has a new racing home, you need to seriously consider the driver’s retirement home. The Schuey we all loved and feared as recently as last year wouldn’t have made that kind of qualifying mistake.
Saturday Qualifying Session 1
POS DRIVER NATIONALITY ENTRANT TIRE TIME
1. Kimi Raikkonen Finland McLaren-Mercedes 1:26.797
2. Giancarlo Fisichella Italy Renault 1:27.039
3. Fernando Alonso Spain Renault 1:27.050
4. Juan Pablo Montoya Colombia McLaren-Mercedes 1:27.352
5. Jarno Trulli Italy Toyota 1:27.501
6. Nick Heidfeld Germany Williams-BMW 1:27.929
7. Mark Webber Australia Williams-BMW 1:27.944
8. Felipe Massa Brazil Sauber-Petronas 1:28.419
9. Ralf Schumacher Germany Toyota 1:28.594
10. Christian Klien Austria Red Bull-Cosworth 1:28.963
11. Rubens Barrichello Brazil Ferrari 1:29.369
12. David Coulthard Britain Red Bull-Cosworth 1:29.764
13. Jenson Button Britain BAR-Honda 1:30.063
14. Takuma Sato Japan BAR-Honda 1:30.175
15. Tiago Monteiro Portugal Jordan-Toyota 1:30.710
16. Christijan Albers Netherlands Minardi-Cosworth 1:32.186
17. Robert Doornbos Netherlands Minardi-Cosworth No Time
18. Jacques Villeneuve Canada Sauber-Petronas No Time
19. Narain Karthikeyan India Jordan-Toyota No Time
20. Michael Schumacher Germany Ferrari No Time
Comments
5 Responses to “Turkish Qualifying Results: The Gang Of Four Continue Dominance”
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The current Shumi wouldn’t have made that mistake either…and neither would anyone else…what is up with the track? Too dusty? Everyone spinning everywhere…also…MS is very cranky this weekend (according to Peter Windsor) because of his tires. Is this Bridgestone’s turn to have an embarassing Grand Prix in 2005?
From everything I’ve been reading this may be the most challenging circuit in all of F1. If all the other drivers managed to keep the car going (including Rubens) how come Mikey couldn’t?
Don’t get me wrong, I’d still like to see him win races, but he more and more looks like that punch drunk fighter seeking out that one good last fight. Save your dignity Michael, while you have some left!
Heck, every race has been an embarassment for Bridgestone (the USGP for a completely different reason).
The track is new, green and does have some spots where you just have to let it hang out. I’d guess they just took more wing off than Michael had guts.
Turn 8 could be a lot of fun in the race! We’ll see.
I, like Wholly, will be waiting to see the different approaches the drivers take in turn 8.
From what I have seen of comments the drivers all have had varying ideas how to get through.
Ok, I’m writing this after the race so, Hello, hindsight is a wonderful thing. How much pace do those McLarens have!? If the Renaults early pit stops were not strategic & that was their real fuel load for qualifying, Wow! Kimi & Juan were flying on a heavier load