The last practice races before the Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix qualification took place in very challenging conditions. Max Verstapen showed the fastest lap time in them, but the results did not matter much this time.
In yesterday’s training races, the track was very slippery after the new pavement was poured, which caused a wide wave of criticism from several riders with Luis Hamilton in the lead. Hopes that the situation would improve by leaving tire tires on the track were washed away on Friday night when it rained in Istanbul. The organizers decided to let the street cars on the track overnight to help restore traction.
The weather continued to play its part and on a wet Saturday morning, keeping the track temperature below 15 degrees, the situation was exacerbated by rain. From the very first minutes, the riders went on the track with transition tires, giving a show that was more reminiscent of drift or rally than Formula 1 racing.
Carlos Saincs, Danila Kvjats and Charles Lekler slipped off the track several times. Serhio Perez, Lando Norris, Sebastian Vettel could not stay there either. EklLeckler even collided with Esteban Ocon, crashing into the bright yellow Renault formula.
The rain intensified and drivers had to use blue-labeled tires for wet weather. In half an hour, all the riders had gone to the track, but Lewis Hamilton and the two Williams riders did not show a lap at all, but it would be crazy to use another combination of wet tires, as they will probably be needed in the qualification, so the events on the track will subside.
10 minutes before the end of the session, several riders went to the track again, but at least in the case of Antonio Giovinaci it turned out to be a mistake – the Italian slipped and hit the track barrier. On the way back to the pits, Giovinac slipped again.
In terms of results, Max Verstapen, Charles Clecker and Alex Albon were in the top three, while the fourth fastest driver Esteban Ocon was more than 5 seconds behind Verstapen.
Rain is also planned for the beginning of qualification pl. 14:00 Latvian time.
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