2009 Turkish Grand Prix

The 2009 Turkish Grand Prix (officially the 2009 Formula 1 ING Turkish Grand Prix) was the seventh motor race of the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship. It was held on 7 June 2009 at Istanbul Park, Tuzla, Turkey.

The race was won by Jenson Button, with Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull Racing completing the podium. Vettel had qualified on pole but a mistake on the first lap scuppered his chances of victory.

Jenson Button led the Drivers' Championship by 16 points from his teammate at Brawn, Rubens Barrichello going into the race, while Brawn GP led the Constructors' Championship by 43.5 points from Red Bull.

Tyre supplier Bridgestone selected the hard and soft tyres for the Grand Prix weekend. Prior to the race, the Turkish Grand Prix had produced different winners in the last four years: Felipe Massa (Ferrari; 2006, 2007, 2008) and Kimi Räikkönen (McLaren-Mercedes; 2005) were the first to cross the finish line. Massa also became the Brazilian driver to win the race three times (2006, 2007 and 2008).

In Friday practice 1, Williams, Ferrari and McLaren performed well, Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton and Jarno Trulli posting the top 3 times. Brawn, Toyota, Red Bull and Renault ran mid field during the session with BMW and STR backmarking.

In Friday practice 2, Williams, Renault and Red Bull were the most consistent performers, Heikki Kovalainen, Fernando Alonso and Robert Kubica posted the top 3 times. Ferrari, Brawn and Toyota ran mid field during the session with Force India and STR backmarking.

After both Friday practice sessions, individual performances were quite mixed, the only consistent constructor was Williams as BMW and McLaren saw mixed results, while top running teams Brawn and Red Bull ran upper mid field for both sessions.

Sebastian Vettel dominated the qualifying session on Saturday 6 June 2009, setting the fastest time in all three parts of qualifying to claim his second pole position of the season, and third of his career.