Red Bull Racing opens Turkish GP weekend with P1 and P2

Published on 13 November 2020 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen started his first race weekend at Istanbul Park with the fastest lap in the opening practice session of the Turkish Grand Prix. Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team mate Alex Albon was second quickest, ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

At the start of the session, the track is slippery. This is caused by the relatively low temperature of 16 degrees as well as a brand new track surface.

Max is first out on track and confirms the conditions: “It’s like driving on ice”, referring to several damp patches as a result of the track being cleaned ahead of FP1.

The opening minutes result in cars slipping and sliding all over the circuit with Charles Leclerc ramming a post at pit entry. This prompts Race Control to red flag the session to allow the marshalls to clear the debris.

Fifteen minutes into the session, the track is cleared and drivers venture out again. The initial timed laps are considerably slower than Sebastian Vettel’s pole position of 2011 as the drivers feel their way around the circuit.

When the first set of tyres is handed back to Pirelli, Max is quickest with Valtteri Bottas second. The Finn strikes back with several flying laps on the hard Pirelli tyres to claim P1, whilst Max remains in the pits.

When he finally returns on track, Max does so on the hard Pirellis and is immediately on the pace, setting the quickest time thus far. Shortly after, the session is interrupted by a virtual safety car after Carlos Sainz’ McLaren has stopped track side.

With fifteen minutes to go, Max notifies the team of brake issues. After a quick visit to the pits, the Dutchman heads back out for another couple of timed laps. In his first run he appears to gun for Vettel’s quickest time, but a yellow flag in the final sector prevents this. A lap later, Max does succeed by clocking his fastest effort of the session and the best time overall.

Alex Albon completes a successful FP1 for Red Bull Racing by clocking P2.

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Results first free practice Turkey: