• Turkish Grand Prix - FP2

Top ten is realistic - Barrichello

Pastor Maldonado ended both sessions prematurely after contact with the barriers © Sutton Images

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• Report:
• Button quickest in Turkey practice
  

• Race:
• Turkish Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Rubens Barrichello
• |
• Pastor Maldonado

• Teams:
• Williams

Rubens Barrichello says that qualifying in the top ten is a realistic proposition for Williams following Friday practice for the Turkish Grand Prix.

Williams has brought a number of new parts to Istanbul as it seeks to turn around the worst start to a season in its history. Despite only having set the 16th fastest time during the second practice session, Barrichello said that the upgrades were all working well, and with a bit more running in the final practice session he believes the team can aim to progress in to the third part of qualifying.

"The new package is promising but we had a KERS water problem which meant our day had to be cut short," Barrichello said. "It was a pity but we are optimistic as the new front wing, rear wing and other parts were all working well and we were running competitively. Our main objective is to start in the top ten this weekend and that's definitely realistic."

Technical director Sam Michael said that all of the parts that had been tested would be used throughout the weekend, with new parts arriving overnight.

"During that [second] session we ran the new rear wing on Rubens' car and we were pleased to see that it functioned well, with a healthy gain in top speed and no signs of aero separation," Michael said. "We will have a second rear wing for Pastor's car tomorrow. We also ran a new rear brake duct and new front wings on both cars. All the data from those parts checked out well, with positive driver feedback. So we'll race everything this weekend."

The day was less encouraging for Pastor Maldonado, who had numerous spins and damaged the car in both sessions. Michael said it would impact on which upgrades he would be able to run for the race.

"With the limited number of parts Pastor will also have to use the old front wing tomorrow after damaging his new front wing in second practice."

Maldonado himself admitted that he had made some mistakes, but was confident he would eradicate them in time for qualifying.

"It was an unlucky day," Maldonado said. "It was wet this morning so we decided not to do too many runs. This afternoon we lost a bit of time as the team were fixing the rear end of the car after I crashed at the end of FP1. When we did get out, the speed was there but on the long run I made a mistake and lost the car at the exit of T8 and crashed into the barrier damaging the front wing. However, I know this circuit and the car has improved so I'll be up there tomorrow!"

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.