Autoblog

Webber-Vettel crash at Turkish GP still shrouded in mystery

Noah Joseph — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 10:19:00 EST

Those who caught our post-race coverage of the Turkish Grand Prix last weekend may still be scratching their heads wondering what happened. With the bulk of the race behind them, Red Bull Racing looked set to sail to a 1-2 finish, with Mark Webber (left) leading virtually uninhibited from pole. But then the unthinkable happened: Sebastian Vettel (right), who had been catching up to his teammate, moved to pass for the lead, but instead crashed into his wingman's car. Webber recuperated and took third place, but Vettel's race was over.

The big question on everyone's mind, however, is what exactly went wrong, and more pressingly, who was at fault. Opinions appeared divided among fans, pundits, even the team itself, and nobody was saying a thing. To observers it seemed obvious that Vettel was at fault, yet no clear attribution of guilt was issued. So what exactly happened?

Team orders, according to some speculation. The team claims it doesn't issue its drivers such controversial directives, but some reports indicated that just before the crash, team principal Christian Horner told Webber's race engineer Ciaron Pilbeam to instruct his driver to let Vettel by. Pilbeam reportedly refused - or simply neglected - to pass on the message, leaving Webber clueless to the plan.

If such team orders were indeed issued, Red Bull certainly isn't about to admit it. Pilbeam could get the old heave-ho as a result, but what good is a scapegoat if you can't place blame on him, anyway?

[Source: GrandPrix.com | Image: Cristina Quicler/AFP/Getty]

Webber-Vettel crash at Turkish GP still shrouded in mystery originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Jun 2010 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SPOILER ALERT: Hopes and Dreams at the 2009 Turkish Grand Prix

Noah Joseph — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 14:09:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

2009 Turkish Grand Prix - Click above for a high-res image gallery

With the established teams still threatening to walk and new teams lining up by the dozen, nothing could have better characterized Formula One's transition from old to new better than the move from the Monaco Grand Prix two weeks ago to the Turkish Grand Prix this weekend. While the Monaco race - held on the streets of Monte Carlo, with its close proximities and timeless seaside city-scape - remains one of the sport's oldest venues, the race in Turkey - at the new-school Istanbul Park Circuit, characterized by wide run-offs and state-of-the-art accommodations - is one of its youngest.

First held in 2005, the Turkish Grand Prix has been won the past three years running by the same driver: Ferrari's Felipe Massa, the young Brazilian who narrowly lost out on the driver's crown last year to Lewis Hamilton. Surely Ferrari's golden boy was eager to extend his domination at the Ottoman autodrom, but would he and his Maranello squad be able to translate the marked improvement which they displayed in Monte Carlo just a fortnight ago into a return to winning form in Istanbul? Follow the jump to find out.

Gallery: 2009 Turkish Grand Prix

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: Hopes and Dreams at the 2009 Turkish Grand Prix

SPOILER ALERT: Hopes and Dreams at the 2009 Turkish Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Jun 2009 14:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bernie Ecclestone loves Turkey! Buys Turkish GP track

Damon Lavrinc — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 17:42:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

Formula One ~~Czar~~ boss, Bernie Ecclestone is apparently a "big, big" fan of bikes, and partnered with his place in the F1 hierarchy, decided to purchase a controlling stake in Turkey's Istanbul Park.

Supposedly paying close to $180 million for an interest in the circuit, this recent acquisition brings the total number of tracks owned by the Andy Warhol look-alike to two - the other being the Paul Ricard circuit in France.

The move solidifies Turkey's position as a host of Formula One races in the future, but questions regarding the $2.5 million fine that was levied on the organizers after last year's trophy debacle remain. Rumors about Eccelstone's possible involvement in helping to pay the fine have surfaced, but regardless, it's a sweet circuit and we're glad it's sticking around.

[Source: TSN]

Bernie Ecclestone loves Turkey! Buys Turkish GP track originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Apr 2007 17:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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International incident takes place on Turkish F1 podium

John Neff — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 11:34:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

The FIA is incensed after a game of political subterfuge played out on the podium last Sunday at the Turkish Grand Prix in Instanbul. Felipe Massa, the winner of the race, was presented his trophy by Mehmet Ali Talat, introduced by announcers as the President of the Northern Turkish Republic of Cyprus. Problem is, no such country exists except in the eyes of Turkey. The geographic area to which the the man's title refers is a part of Cyprus, the Mediterranean island nation over which Greece and Turkey have been fighting for decades.

Murat Yalicintas, head of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, admits that his organization delayed telling the FIA who the podium presenter would be in order to sneak their guy on the stand. For their efforts, the FIA is considering dropping the Turkish GP from next year's schedule, as well as canceling Turkey's round of the World Rally Championship. Lesson learned: it doesn't pay to mess with the FIA.

Thanks for the tip, Noah!

[Source: Planet-F1]

International incident takes place on Turkish F1 podium originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Aug 2006 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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