The Turkish GP may yet get a reprieve, either next year or in the future. It sounds like it depends on how hardline Bernard's going to be regarding doubling the fee. Crucially, the problem that has blighted everyone's enjoyment of the first three GPs looks like being resolved by Pirelli in Turkey. Phew. please log in to view this image
T8 is going to kill the tyres - how many pit stops do you think for each team in the Turkish GP? I think 3-4
If he takes his form from China into this race, Massa should be blazing - if the updates work, I'd be expecting at least a Massa podium. If it's a Ferrari 1-2 (unlikely, I know) it'll be Alonso winning, there's no way Ferrari would let Massa take the race. I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing, if it helps a Ferrari driver win the WDC, so be it.
The only thing is that Massa finished one place ahead of Alonso in both of the last two races. If Ferrari were going with Alonso from the first race then they could have easily swapped them to give Alonso an extra four points. I think at this stage they're still hedging their bets and if Massa is on for a victory, especially after his service to the team last season, I think they'll let him keep it.
It's a very tricky situation. I think that the majority of Ferrari staff want Massa to do well, they love him there. But Alonso is still ahead of him in the WDC. Chances are, Alonso will do better in the long run, but nobody knows if he will do, or if Massa will get better, or if Massa will get worse. Judging on Alonso's record and current position, unless Massa has an absolutely brilliant drive, the team'll probably back Alonso. I really want Massa to win races though, he deserved the title in 2008.
If its a 1-2 Massa deserves to win (if he's ahead) as Ferrari have very low chance to win WDC or WCC. They're a bit like Renault last year I think. If Alonso does better than him, I will be surprised. He's nowhere near his best and Massa is back by the looks of it. Ferrari may look into long run and let Alonso win but I doubt it. They have equal treatment until crucial parts of season. I think there will be 3 pitstops and a couple of Webber banzai 4s
With the expected tyre wear in Turkey I can see both Red Bulls and both McLarens, and possibly the Ferraris, sacrificing grid position for extra race tyres. I have a feeling that Webber's due a victory. It may just be a consequence of wishful thinking, hoping Vettel doesn't run away with the championship, but I fancy Webber or Hamilton for the win.
a Toro Rosso? Im expecting a slight reordering of the pack after turkey but Vettel will kick it off with a jammy win
Can see Hammy getting very close to Vettel though, after China it looked like there was no gap left to close between them. Credit to Mclaren though, they have progressed massively. Ferrari will be dropping further and well Mercedes... I don't want to know.
Yes, I think the penny has dropped with some guys, Q3 positions are almost not important, judging by Webber and Hamiltons performance in China, work smart not hard !
Some interesting points about team orders here. We recently saw Massa hang on ahead of Alonso, when a simple lift would have seen the Spaniard pass easily. Under the current regulations, I doubt anyone would have been surprised. But the fact that he did not gives a clear signal that Ferrari have not yet adopted a season-long team orders strategy - which is good for the dispassionate purist. I admit to being very pleased to see Massa hold his position. Red Bull is the other obvious place to look but Webber has simply been outpaced by a confident Vettel in his prime, meaning Horner doesn't need to do his bull in the corner (yet)… Also, the Turkish track is probably Massa's best for the whole season.
I think perhaps Ferrari have finally realised that input from 2 drivers, and 2 REALLY trying is far better than putting all your chips onto 1. It certainly looks as if somebody has put an arm round Massa's shoulder and convinced him he is really wanted. Press reports about Luca's comments at his birthday seems to demonstrate that.
Birthday flattery may well be just birthday flattery. I think it will be fascinating if Alonso's alleged doldrums are due to the Ferrari machine, and that Raikkonen's were, too. It may mean that, post-Schumacher, only no.2 drivers can flourish because the team cannot provide to no.1s what they provided for Schumacher. Now, wouldn't that be like rain on your wedding day?
If Massa does significantly better than Alonso for this GP, it will be interesting how the team handle it...
