Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Weekend review and results round-up

As Sebastian Vettel shrugged off a substantial Friday crash to leave the close racing in his wake and win once again in the Turkish Grand Prix, political intrigue returned to the Formula 1 paddock on a busy weekend for off-track news

The developing story of News Corporation's interest in the sport sparked strong hints from the teams about how they might be involved in a reshaping of F1's ownership structure, more denials from Bernie Ecclestone, and comments from Jean Todt distancing the FIA from whatever might or might not unfold in the coming months.

Todt and Ecclestone's views were much in demand over the weekend, especially after the revelation that the Bahrain Grand Prix authorities now believe there is no reason why they cannot hold a rescheduled F1 race later this year.

On-track form was also of great interest with so many teams introducing updates at Istanbul. It was too soon to get too hopeful for Williams, whereas Ferrari and Fernando Alonso in particular were right back in the thick of it, while Mercedes had clearly found more pace but needed to deliver it consistently. The main topic of Mercedes-related conversation post-race was not the car's form, but Michael Schumacher's, after another awkward weekend for the seven-time champion.

Turkey also saw GP2 and GP3 kick off for 2011. Romain Grosjean took the early advantage in the former, but had a scrappy sprint race, which was won by Stefano Coletti. Nigel Melker and Alexander Sims shared the GP3 honours.

Away from Istanbul, Sebastien Loeb returned to the top of the World Rally Championship podium in Sardinia, Peugeot overcame a qualifying disaster to defeat Audi in what was effectively a Le Mans 24 Hours warm-up at Spa, and the JR Nissans led the World GT1 pack in Portugal.

Regan Smith could celebrate his maiden NASCAR Sprint Cup race win, but the Darlington event is probably going to be better remembered for Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch's post-race bust-up.

The F1 sessions

Alonso fastest, Vettel crashes in FP1

Button pips Rosberg in second practice

Vettel hits the front in final practice

Vettel secures another pole in Turkey

Vettel takes commanding win in Turkey

The F1 headlines

Boullier: F1 must be a better product

Webber 'unlikely' to move team in 2012

Webber: Michael lacked support

Alonso says updates not a revolution

Schumacher says 2011 rules are 'mega'

Pirelli wants tyre allocation change

Vettel downplays lack of running

Hamilton: Tyre wear fears unfounded

Teams keen for F1 ownership stake

McLaren accepts Coughlan's return

Bahrain 'ready' to host Formula 1 race

Ferrari plans wind tunnel upgrade

Ecclestone: Pay TV would be 'suicide'

Todt pushing for limited testing return

New engine rules set in stone - Todt

No DRS ban for Monaco GP

Schumacher not experiencing 'big joy'

The motorsport action

WRC: Loeb clinches Sardinia victory

ILMC/LMS: Peugeot wins Spa 1000km

NASCAR: Smith takes maiden Cup victory

GP2: Grosjean holds off Bird for victory

GP2: Coletti hangs on for GP2 victory

GP3: Melker triumphs in GP3 opener

GP3: Sims dominates GP3 race two

World GT1: Nissan fills Portimao podium

World GT1: Luhr and Krumm win in Portugal

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Five themes to watch for in Turkey
Next article Ferrari confident of progress in Spain

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe