Ferrari will be ahead of Merc in the Race and Quali. They seem to have a bit more pace than them.... Nico might just be able to challenge Fernando and Michael will challenge Felipe. But lets wait until Quali and then I will give you my thoughts on whether Merc or Ferrari will be ahead going into the race.
Ferrari must be quietly confident (of being closer to RB). Their updates aren't too "significant", but they do appear to be working well. Immediately watching the drivers onboard - no understeer. The front wing is said not be flexible, but others have noticed it is flexible. Ferrari tested their front wing and it passed. Can anyone else see the FW flexing here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod..._The_Turkish_Grand_Prix_Practice_Two/?t=13m2s Also, at low speed to car sounds like a beast. Really growls ... reminds me a bit of the traction control days. Ferrari have obviously done something new to their exhaust/ different engine mapping. Also the rear wing (which I can't see much of a difference) gave positive results immediately according to Fry.
I can't be arsed to watch the practice session again, but when I was watching it live you could see the wing wibbling (technical speak for flexing) over bumps. They cut off the onboard footage before the major breaking zone at turn 12 though.
If Mercedes sort out their problems in turn 8 which you could see over practice, they will take it to McLaren in quali and maybe race pace aswell.
After third practice, Mercedes look very strong. They might even be able to challenge McLaren, although I understand McLaren are going to do something with their exhaust in qualifying. It's obvious that Red Bull are going to dominate, but the battle for 3rd - 7th should be exciting. More reliability issues for Ferrari. .. What a ****ing joke!
McLaren look to be holding back, I never trust times set in practice if the times set in the same team are next to each other. Nico looked like he messed up his option run on sectors 1 and 3 yet schumi "nailed it" practice wise, so it looks to be a good fight with Mercedes and McLaren but yet vettel made it look easy beating Schumi's time even while being held up, costing him what? 5-6 tenths? I know it's easy to speak about Mercedes now, but if they keep pushing like this they might catch Red Bull in the next 2-3 races. Unlucky for Ferrari atm they are really under pressure to change the whole car.
Judging by P3 I'd say Red Bull are fastest, McLaren and Mercedes pretty much even and Renault just ahead. I have a hunch that McLaren will find something extra in quali though, I hope Mercedes are up there though. I'm kind of neutral towards them but it would be nice to have another team competing for wins and podiums and they really should be.
Red Bull and Mclaren fighting for P1-P4, then Mercedes, Ferrari and maybe Renault fighting just behind them.
I'm hoping for rain and an Alonso victory, but common sense dictates that Vettel will be the one to beat again.
BBC Coverage underway.... Feeling the tension.... You bet.... Merc look quick and McLaren havent really shown their real pace so far.....
Not watching the build up so I don't know if this was already mentioned but.... Both Ferrari drivers have an engine change. Maybe something to do with their engine setting?
Actually yes, it's just Massa. Ferrari have confirmed on twitter. It was just an "in-deep check" for Alonso's car
Why is coverage on BBC2? How is a lame Championship football match more important than F1? Leeds have already ruined their play off chances.
Kobayashi to do a Webber tomorrow - fun's assured! Schumacher's getting away with blocking and while Ferrari may be running a bit better, they are clearly not at ease (I don't think is just testing as Coulthard said) Shame Lotus has not made it to Q2. They are improving though, and so has Hispania
