Former Williams F1 driver David Coulthard refers to Istanbul Park as �a modern day classic�. The track undulates and it has several fast corners, which require aerodynamic performance from the cars and commitment from the drivers.
The most challenging corner on the lap is the quadruple-apex Turn 8, through which the drivers pull 5G for nearly seven seconds. The entry to the corner is blind and there�s a bump mid-corner that tries to throw the cars off-line.Being the first of only five anti-clockwise circuits on the calendar, it�s a physical track for the drivers because the left side of the neck takes a pounding. �As long as you put the necessary work in beforehand, you�re okay,� says AT&T Williams driver RubensBarrichello. �However fit you are, though, you�ll begin to feel your neck by the end of this race. It�s tough.�
Sam Michael, Technical Director: We're bringing a number of upgrades to the FW33 over the next few races, starting with Istanbul. The package for Turkey will include new brake ducts, revised front wing and rear wings, plus some other secondary items. Combined, these components should give the FW33 a decent step-up in performance. Our objective is to get the car into the points as soon as possible.
Istanbul Park has a great layout for the drivers to get their teeth into. In particular, it boasts an excellent natural overtaking spot at the end of the back straight. Turkey has the notorious Turn 8, a left-hander which places considerable loads on the car�s aerodynamics. A car that can handle those pressures, combined with one capable of some significant kerb riding through the last sequence of corners, is critical at this track.
Rubens Barrichello: I want to have a more competitive weekend with the team than we have had so far this season. We have new parts coming for Turkey which will hopefully work in our favour. I love Istanbul Park. It is one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar and we will aim to be flat out there. Everyone says Turn 8 is a highlight, and it is, but I also find the circuit nice from a set-up point of view with qualifying also a good challenge. I like the track as a whole.
Pastor Maldonado: I�ve been to Istanbul Park four or five times and I think it is a good circuit to race on. Last year I had one of my best races of the season in Istanbul racing in GP2. If we can get the car performing as we want to this weekend, it will be a good event for us. Turn 8 is my favourite part of the circuit as it is an amazing, very long and fast corner. It is also quite a technical circuit. We are improving and I hope we can jump forward with the upgrades we have here and be more competitive.
From Cosworth�s perspective: Istanbul Park is one of the most complicated circuits on the Formula One calendar with a varied mix of high, medium and low-speed sections which puts engines through a tough workout. The vagaries of the track require effective power delivery from the bottom end of the rev range right up to peak power output. The multi-apex Turn 8 remains a stiff challenge for drivers and demands a consistent response from the engine at high-speed. Good traction is critical upon the exit of Turn 12 to negotiate the slow final section of the lap. The track�s location at 125m above sea level and with almost 46m of elevation change over the lap exacerbates the demands placed on the engine.
From Pirelli�s perspective: Turkey is a very exciting track, and from Pirelli's perspective it is almost our second home race: the Izmit factory, where all the Formula One tyres are made, is only half an hour away from the circuit. Istanbul Park is a very demanding track for tyres as we normally see high temperatures on top of some very challenging corners. Like everyone, we were pleased to see Williams get both cars to the finish in China and with the depth of experience that is clear to anyone who has worked with the team, we're sure it's not going to be long before the team is hitting all of its targets.
TURKISH GRAND PRIX PREVIEW
When: Friday 6 to Sunday 8 May, 2011
Where: Istanbul Park, Turkey
Round: 4 of 19
Williams F1 Announces Technical Department Restructure
Williams F1 today announced that Technical Director, Sam Michael, and Chief Aerodynamicist, Jon Tomlinson, have resigned from their positions within the company, to take effect at the end of 2011.
Frank Williams, Team Principal, said: �Both Sam and Jon are talented and driven people who have worked hard for Williams over 10 and five years respectively. Nonetheless, they have recognised that the team�s performance is not at the level that it needs to be and have resigned in order to give the team the opportunity to regroup and undertake the changes necessary to get back to the front of the grid. Both will continue to work in their present positions through until the end of the year to ensure that the team maintains focus and momentum during the 2011 season. We are very grateful to Sam and to Jon for their professional approach.�
Mike Coughlan Appointed as Chief Engineer
Williams F1 today announced that Mike Coughlan will join the team in June 2011 in the role of Chief Engineer.
Mike Coughlan undertook his training and education at Rolls Royce and Brunel University. He began his Formula One career at Lotus where he worked his way up to Chief Designer. He subsequently worked for Tyrell, Ferrari and Arrows before joining McLaren in 2002 as Chief Designer. Mike left Formula One in 2007 as a result of his role in the �Spygate� affair. Since then, Mike has applied his skills principally as Chief Engineer in the development of the Ocelot Light Protected Patrol Vehicle. He joins Williams F1 from NASCAR competitor, Michael Waltrip Racing.
Frank Williams, Team Principal, said: �Mike Coughlan is a fine engineer with extensive experience across Formula One and both civil and defence engineering. He left Formula One in 2007 because of conduct which he acknowledges was wrong and which he profoundly regrets. His two year ban from the sport expired some time ago and Mike is now determined to prove himself again. Williams is delighted to be able to give him the opportunity to do this and we are very pleased to have one of the most talented and competitive engineers in the sport helping us to return to the front of the grid. This is the first step in re-building and strengthening our technical group. We will announce the next steps as they develop.�
Mike Coughlan commented, �I am grateful to Williams for giving me this opportunity. My experience in 2007 was life-changing. Since then, I have endeavoured to put my skills to good use in the design of the Ocelot vehicle whose purpose is to transport soldiers in safety. I have also enjoyed my time with Michael Waltrip Racing: they are an excellent race team and I wish them well for the future. Now, I am looking forward to returning to a sport which I love and to joining a team that I have admired for many years. I will dedicate myself to the team and to ensuring that we return to competitiveness while respecting the ethical standards with which Williams has always been synonymous.�
| Williams F1
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