Formula 1 took to the Istanbul Park circuit for the first time in nine years on Friday morning, the last year race meaning conditions were cooler than past year’s Turkish outings. The track temperature was a mere 17’C at the beginning of FP1.
To add to the tricky conditions awaiting the drivers, the track was washed overnight and again in the morning leaving behind a slippery track and a few wet spots. Charles Leclerc was in on the early session drama as he slipped and slid, taking out a bollard on his way. His team-mate Sebastian Vettel did a 2:01.1 to get the timesheet rolling.
Leclerc’s bollard, which marked the pit lane entry, bought out the red flags as a marshal had to cross the track to retrieve it. The bollard had also left exposed bolts, which could cause a tyre failure. And all that within six minutes!
Eventually Max Verstappen led a Red Bull 1-2 in Turkey, as Scuderia Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel both upped their pace, improving to second and third, make that third and fourth as Verstappen, on the hards, laid down a 1:38.5 to go quickest. Esteban Ocon moved up to fifth ahead of Daniil Kvyat, who is looking for a job for next season.
POS DRIVER NAT. TEAM TIME
1 Max Verstappen NED Aston Martin Red Bull Racing 1m 35.077
2 Alexander Albon THA Aston Martin Red Bull Racing 1m 35.318
3 Charles Leclerc MON Scuderia Ferrari 1m 35.507
4 Pierre Gasly FRA Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda 1m 35.543
5 Sebastian Vettel GER Scuderia Ferrari 1m 35.620
6 Daniil Kvyat RUS Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda 1m 36.739
7 Lando Norris GBR McLaren F1 Team 1m 37.216
8 Antonio Giovinazzi ITA Alfa Romeo Racing Orlen 1m 37.503
9 Valtteri Bottas FIN Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team 1m 37.629
10 Esteban Ocon FRA Renault F1 Team 1m 38.428
11 Nicholas Latifi CAN Williams Racing 1m 38.508
12 Sergio Perez MEX BWT Racing Point F1 Team 1m 38.612
13 Lance Stroll CAN BWT Racing Point F1 Team 1m 39.484
14 Romain Grosjean FRA Haas F1 Team 1m 40.025
15 Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team 1m 40.225
16 Kimi Raikkonen FIN Alfa Romeo Racing Orlen 1m 41.035
17 Kevin Magnussen DEN Haas F1 Team 1m 41.854
18 Daniel Ricciardo AUS Renault F1 Team 1m 45.156
19 Carlos Sainz SPA McLaren F1 Team 1m 46.462
20 George Russell GBR Williams Racing 1m 49.256
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