Fresh from a rejuvenating summer’s break, albeit a short one, Team SAUBER PETRONAS heads off for Istanbul for this weekend’s inaugural Turkish Grand Prix, the 14th round of the 2005 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Despite haven’t actually been there, the team already has a good knowledge of the circuit from track simulations programmes. And judging from these programmes, they expect the track to be of a high downforce, possessing some basic characteristics with the new Nurburgring circuit, but with a lot higher temperatures. Steps to overcome their recent spark coil failure resulting from extreme temperatures in Hungaroring are therefore being given special priority.

Technical Director Willy Rampf explains: “Turkey represents another new track for Formula One, but by the time we arrive there we will already be quite familiar with it. We use the official map of the circuit in conjunction with our simulation programmes.

“This enables us to run a basic car model in order to evaluate different parameters such as downforce levels and mechanical grip. The optimum downforce level will depend on the track layout and the grip. I think Turkey will be high downforce. We also know it will be very hot, so we will be maximising our cooling and have taken steps to rectify the problem of high temperatures beneath the engine covers that affected the spark coils in Hungary.

“Once the aerodynamic configuration of the car is defined, we use the simulation models to further optimise the mechanical set-up, define the gear ratios and evaluate the brake energy dissipation. This allows us to make the best choice of brake materials and the required brake cooling. We know from past experience that our simulation programmes are accurate to within one per cent.

“The biggest unknown factor is the grip level of the track. Even though we liase closely with Michelin, who have already visited the track to assess its surface, the one thing we cannot predict completely until we run the cars there is the actual level of grip of the surface.”

The team is currently placed eighth in the Constructor’s Championship with 14 points courtesy of Massa contributing 8 points while former world champion Jacques Villeneuve scored 6 so far. The Swiss team are being trailed by the Jordans and Minardis while BAR Honda, who had a dismal opening season, is ahead of them with 20 points.