Turkish GP Report: Vettel imperious as always

Ignoring the final laps of the Chinese Grand Prix three weeks ago, the whole F1 season could be summarised as Sebastian Vettel being imperious at the front, while a lot went on behind him. This also sums up today's Turkish Grand Prix.

It was another diverting race with a lot of dicing, that never gave the viewer a moment's peace, but while all this action was going on Seb remained in command in first place. While a couple of opponents were able to keep him honest Seb never seriously looked in danger of relinquishing his lead and the win. He's got that Ascari/Clark/Senna-esque ability to dominate a race from the front down to a nicety.

It's now three wins and a second place from four races this year for Seb, giving him 93 points from a possible 100. While we're still in early days, but it's hard to see what can stop him doubling up on his world championships come the season's end.

Not even Webber, also in Red Bull wheels, could seriously challenge team mate Vettel today. Though he managed to stay within a handful of seconds of him the feeling persisted that Seb had plenty in hand.

Istanbul Qually: Seb makes it four out of four

Sebastian Vettel claimed pole position for tomorrow's Turkish Grand Prix at Istanbul Park. If that sounds rather familiar, that's because it is: it's Seb's fourth pole from four races so far this year, the first time that's been done since 1999 (when Mika Hakkinen did it).

It was comfortable stuff for Seb, as it has been in every qually session this year virtually. Indeed, Seb was content that the time set from his first run in final qually would be sufficient for pole, sitting out while most of those behind him scrapped for the lower places. It was visual testimony to his dominance.

For the first time this year Seb is joined on the front row by team mate Mark Webber, though the Australian will be less content with the four tenths of a second gap between him and the similarly equipped pole man. Both Red Bull pilots saved a set of soft tyres by only running once in the final session, so while the oppostion usually get a bit closer to the Bulls come race day, this factor will make it more difficult for the Bulls to be touched tomorrow.

Istanbul Preview: Seb still on top as Merc make a step

The Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul is the first race of F1's European season (despite the track actually being on the Asian side of the Bosporus), a race meeting usually associated with a variety of new technical pieces on cars up and down the grid. In other words, it is usually here that we find out where everyone really is at.

And in spite of these developments in the past three weeks, in which the teams' staff no doubt resembled characters in those manic, speeded up comedy films of the 1920s, it appears that Sebastian Vettel and his Red Bull remain the package to beat. Even after sitting out most of Friday, with a smash in the rain in first practice, forcing him to sit out the second, dry, session, he calmly re-asserted himself in the order of things by claiming top spot in practice this morning. Indicative of a team and driver absolutely at the top of their game.

Pole is probably Seb's for the taking, in part because Red Bulls have more of a DRS advantage than the cars around them such as the McLaren (which can be used liberally in qualifying and practice). Things nevertheless should be closer come race day, and Mercedes appear to have confirmed their progress seen in China. Schumi and Rosberg ended up second and third this morning, and look like they're somewhere near McLaren's level at least. There are also big bumps in the braking zone at Turn 12, which the Mercs are riding much more comfortably than the long-time stiff McLarens. Also, Seb's Red Bull had its nth case of KERS trouble his morning as well, they don't look any closer to having it running reliably, which may make them easy meat on the straights tomorrow, if anyone can get close to them.