Final Practice - Massa moves ahead at Istanbul Park 06 Jun 2009
Ferrari’s Felipe Massa staked his claim to a fourth consecutive victory in Turkey when he became the only driver so far this weekend to lap below 1m 28s, during Saturday's final practice. His best of 1m 27.983s was 0.039s faster than Jarno Trulli, a late improver for Toyota, whose 1m 28.022s lap deposed team mate Timo Glock’s 1m 28.094s. Both TF109 drivers had off-track moments, Trulli in Turns Eight and 10, Glock spinning in Turn One.
Kazuki Nakajima made it a good day for Toyota power by taking fourth fastest time for Williams in 1m 28.122s, ahead of 11 more drivers below 1m 29s. They were led by BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica (1m 28.320s), Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button in the Brawns (1m 28.332s and 1m 28.360s respectively), Williams’ Nico Rosberg (1m 28.364s), Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen (1m 28.415s) Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel (1m 28.451s), Renault’s Nelson Piquet (1m 28.503s), McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton (1m 28.563s), Mark Webber in the second Red Bull (1m 28.678s), BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld (1m 28.715s) and McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen (1m 28.738s).
Behind them the times were still tight. Adrian Sutil took his Force India round in 1m 29.050s for 16th, ahead of the Toro Rossos of Sebastien Bourdais and Sebastien Buemi (1m 29.076s and 1m 29.167s respectively), Renault’s Fernando Alonso (1m 29.261s) and Force India’s Giancarlo Fisichella (1m 29.421s).
Besides Trulli and Glock, Vettel, Kovalainen, Bourdais, Button and Raikkonen all visited the run-off areas. The scene is thus set for qualifying, and as things stand the contest to get into Q3 will be tougher than ever.
