10/05/2008
NEWS STORY
Ahead of today's sole free practice session, the air temperature is 15 degrees C, and the track temperature is 20 degrees. It is sunny, though there is heavy cloud in the distance, and unseasonably cool. There was a light rain shower earlier this morning, which has left a few minor damp patches, therefore the session has been officially declared wet.
There is a surplus of Rubens Barrichellos today, as members of the Honda crew are wearing Barrichello masks - a chilling thought.
The lights go green, and first out are the Force Indias, this time Fisichella actually waits for the green light to appear - having jumped the gun yesterday morning.
Within seconds, there are sixteen cars on track, including the McLarens. Only the Ferraris and Hondas remain in their garages.
Five minutes into the session and the Honda head down the pitlane. While Button heads back to the pits after his installation lap, Barrichello continues around for another lap.
Yesterday was a difficult day with the track constantly changing, a situation not helped by the rain shower at the start of the second session and the impromptu bit of track cleaning before the start of the first session. The cool conditions are another factor.
Despite the heavy cloud that is now approaching the circuit, officials predict that there will be no rain before the end of the session.
After almost twelve minutes of inactivity, an engine roars into life and Timo Glock heads down the pitlane.
As Glock begins his final sector, Hamilton heads down the pitlane. The German posts the first time of the day, 1:30.427.
Hamilton, unsurprisingly, goes quickest in all three sectors, raising the benchmark to 29.144. Glock improves to 29.797 as several more drivers return to the track.
In case anyone was under the impression that there is more grip today, Bourdais spins 360 degrees as the back of his Toro Rosso gets away from him.
As Jarno Trulli goes third, Rosberg is on a good lap, the German eventually crossing the line at 28.734 to go quickest.
Webber, who made a mistake and crashed out of yesterday's second session, goes fifth (29.566), but is immediately demoted when Vettel goes fourth.
Approaching half-time, the two Ferraris head down the pitlane. However, all eyes are on Alonso, who goes quickest in the first two sectors, finally crossing the line at 28.165 to go top of the timesheets.
Raikkonen goes ninth (29.176), as Piquet improves to third with a 28.306. Within moments however, Hamilton has re-taken third spot. That said, Piquet clocks 28.113 to go quickest only to be leapfrogged by both Alonso and then Hamilton. It is fast and frantic out there.
With twenty-seven minutes remaining, only Coulthard hasn't posted a time.
Nakajima spins as Coulthard begins his first flying lap of the session. As Raikkonen improves to fifth, Massa goes sixth.
Hamilton re-takes the top spot with a 27.960, however, his teammate goes quickest in the first sector. The Finn loses a little pace in the second sector, not helped by a (good to watch) drift, meanwhile Raikkonen goes quickest.
A 27.658 sees Hamilton go top, ahead of Raikkonen, Piquet, Coulthard and Alonso. But then Massa takes second with a 27.663, just 0.005s down on Hamilton.
Massa goes quickest in the first sector, as Coulthard improves to third (again). The Brazilian takes the top spot with a 27.530.
At the 'wrong' end of the timesheets, we still have Trulli, Heidfeld, Webber and Kubica, with twenty minutes remaining.
Little sign of the soft (medium) compound thus far, but this was the situation yesterday, when teams were unwilling to use them due to graining.
Heidfeld is back on track as is Rosberg, the clouds in the distance looking ominous.
Nakajima goes eleventh and Barrichello twelfth, as Rosberg improves to seventh with a 28.026.
Mark Webber, watched by his Father, goes second, the Australian posting 27.549. Red Bull now 2-4.
Interestingly, the top fifteen are covered by less than a second. Though that is sure to change in the next twelve minutes.
Piquet improves to sixth, the Brazilian still on hards. Button and Bourdais - both on hards - also look set to improve. Sure enough, the Englishman goes sixth.
Coulthard (hard) goes quickest, the Red Bulls looking good today.
Seven minutes remaining, and Glock (hard) goes sixth, as Raikkonen (softs) gets all crossed up.
Raikkonen is really pushing, the Finn letting the back end hand out all over the place. It looks great but it doesn't move him up the timesheets. Then again, he's no doubt focussing on tomorrow.
Four minutes remaining and Webber (softs) goes quickest in the first sector, and again in the second. The Australian crosses the line at 27.030 taking the top spot from his Red Bull teammate.
Trulli (soft) goes fourth, as Raikkonen remains tenth. Elsewhere, Rosberg goes for a little drive across the Turkish countryside.
Alonso and Kubica both on hot laps, as is Coulthard. The Spaniard goes second, just as the chequered flag is waved to signal the end of the session.
There are no other significant improvements, the soft option - though good for a fast lap - clearly go off the boil very, very quickly.
An interesting session, however, while Red Bull and Renault show signs of improvement, Ferrari, McLaren and BMW are playing their cars very close to their chests.