Turkish GP – Qualifications: Red Bull and Vettel on pole, without effort

The first round of these European Grand Prix is taking place in Turkey, and unlike the first free practice session, the qualifying session is taking place on a dry track.

Q1: The first driver to set off is Kamui Kobayashi in his C30, while we learn that Felipe Massa has changed his engine, using his fourth new block this season, for the fourth race. This seems concerning for Ferrari’s future over the course of the season. As Paul di Resta sets the first reference time on hard tires, the Japanese Sauber driver has a problem, and his car is finally pushed by the marshals into the pit lane.

Most of the drivers are on track, and Sebastian Vettel takes the opportunity to settle in first position equipped with hard tires, followed by Rosberg and Alonso, before Sebastien Buemi gets in between them.

Mark Webber, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button place themselves behind the reigning world champion at the end of a flying lap, still on hard tires. While many drivers have pitted, the two LRGP drivers hit the track and can take advantage of a clear track. At the end of the session, many drivers switch to soft tires, and Felipe Massa sets the fastest time, while Heikki Kovalainen, in his Lotus, is only five-tenths away from qualifying for Q2. At the back of the grid, a small revolution seems to be brewing with Liuzzi’s HRT ahead of Timo Glock and his Virgin.

Eliminated in Q1: Kovalainen, Trulli, D’Ambrosio, Liuzzi, Glock, Karthikeyan, Kobayashi

Q2: Michael Schumacher is the first to hit the track during Q2 but slightly misses his first lap, with a time of 1:27.458. The seven-time world champion seems to have a seventh gear. The 1:26 mark is surpassed by Sebastian Vettel who sets a very fast time of 1:25.610, ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber who clock in at 1:26. With six minutes left, Vitaly Petrov is the only man on track before being joined by several drivers. The Russian driver takes sixth place before Michael Schumacher moves into fourth position. His teammate pushes him back to fifth by taking second place. He’s the second driver to go under the 1:26 mark, while both LRGP drivers barely qualify.

Disappointment for Toro Rosso as they fall back into the depths of the standings, after two promising Q3 sessions at the Chinese Grand Prix. First Q3 of the year for Michael Schumacher, who ends his subscription to 11th place.

Eliminated from Q2: Barrichello, Sutil, di Resta, Maldonado, Perez, Buemi, Alguersuari.

Q3: Vitaly Petrov sets the fastest time in this session, before being displaced by Button and Alonso. Mark Webber sets a very good time at 1’25’454, before his teammate sets an extremely fast lap at 1’25’049. The world champion seems unbeatable as everyone returns to the pits. With two minutes remaining, both Red Bull drivers exit their cars, a sight that will be very tough for the competition. Nico Rosberg then achieves the third fastest time while Michael Schumacher is 8th.

The two Red Bull drivers thus achieve a one-two finish, Vettel in front of Webber, and deal a heavy blow to the competition, completing only a single flying lap at the start of the session before getting out of their cars.

Sebastian Vettel thus seems unbeatable in pole position, especially now that he has the KERS and his teammate, who makes a stunning comeback.

Results of the Qualifications – 2011 Turkish Grand Prix: