Doubts over improved grip at Turkish GP: "We'll see"

The Turkish Grand Prix was much talked about last year. This was not so much because of the great results, but mainly because of the poor grip on the track. The Formula 1 teams expect more grip this year, but Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough stressed at Motorspeedweek that it's something they need to look at once they get there.

The Turkish Grand Prix was added to the 2020 calendar but immediately there were questions and concerns as Istanbul Park had not been used for world championship races for years. As a result, officials opted to resurface the track before Formula One would return. In the end, this made it difficult for the Formula 1 drivers to find grip. The work done since the race last year combined with the outdated asphalt should ensure that the situation is better this weekend, but McCullough doesn't want to prejudge the facts just yet.

"As for the asphalt this year, we'll find out when we get there. Recently the FIA sent the usual pre-race document to the teams and told us that the whole track surface has been treated to increase the grip level. Firstly, it helps that it is a year older and they have treated it with water so that is also beneficial," he admits.

It remains to be seen

Of course, the drivers and teams have been practicing a lot in the simulator, but they'd love to know what the grip level is going to be at the Grand Prix.

"The hardest thing in our offline simulations and simulator work is to know the grip level of the circuit. That determines what you do, how you operate the tyres, what downforce and drag you have, and so on. We're going to see," said the Brit.