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Turkish Grand Prix – Preview, Timings and Prediction

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Turkish Grand Prix – Preview, Timings and Prediction

After nine years away, F1 returns to Istanbul Park Circuit for the Turkish Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton could seal his seventh world championship.

The sport last visited Turkey in 2011 which saw a young Sebastian Vettel claim victory for Red Bull in the final race at the Istanbul Park Circuit. However, the Turkish Grand Prix was cut from the F1 calendar in 2012 due to a disagreement on hosting fees. F1 is yet to return, despite being hugely popular among drivers.

However, due to the spread of coronavirus and being unable to commit to the original 2020 calendar, F1 bosses had to reshape the calendar. They went from 22 to 17 races, travelling to five new destinations including Istanbul Park Circuit.

A Mercedes 1-2 last time out in Imola, saw the ‘Silver Arrows’ claim their record-breaking seventh consecutive World Championship, with four races to spare.

Lewis Hamilton secured his ninth victory in Italy and extended his lead over Valtteri Bottas to 85 points. The British driver will also have the chance to seal the drivers’ championship in Turkey, as long as he avoids conceding eight or more points to the Finn on Sunday.

He could also equal Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world championships in his career, to become F1’s most decorated champion.

 

Alex Albon’s future sealed?

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will be hoping to leapfrog Bottas in the drivers’ standing in the final four races, as 35 points currently separates the drivers.

Whereas his teammates, Alex Albon, future at Red Bull looks over after failing to score any points in Imola, despite being in a good chance to finish in a podium spot in the final five laps.

The Thai-British driver has also been pictured alongside AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly in promotional shoots this week, as speculation about his future intensifies. 

 

The Battle for 4th

With Hamilton likely to seal his seventh world championship this weekend, eyes will turn to the battle for 4th in the drivers’ standings. Only 13 points separate 4th to 6th, as Daniel Ricciardo currently leads the pack after picking up his second podium in 2020.

However, Charles Leclerc sits just 10 points behind the Australian despite Ferrari’s dramatic downfall this season. Racing Point’s Sergio Perez is also sneaking behind the two on 82 points.

The fight for 3rd in the constructors’ championship is even closer, with one point separating 3rd to 5th. Renault also leads the pack in the standings. However, that could dramatically change this weekend with McLaren and Racing Point just one point behind the French manufacturers.

Weather for Turkish Grand Prix

Drivers are in for a mixed-conditions over the weekend with chances of rain likely on Saturday and Sunday. Across the three days of action, temperatures will reach a high of 15C in Istanbul.

 

A quick overview of Istanbul Park 

Length – 5.338km (3.317mi)

Turns – 14

Laps – 58

Lap record – 1:24:770 by Juan Pablo Montoya (McLaren, 2005)

Most wins (drivers) – Felipe Massa (8)

Most wins (constructors) – Ferrari (3)

 

Timings

Friday:

Practice Session One – 8:00am – 9:30am

Practice Session Two – 12:00pm – 1:30pm

Saturday:

Practice Session Three – 9:00am – 10:00am

Qualifying – 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Sunday:

Race – 1o:10am

 

Predictions

1st – Lewis Hamilton

2nd – Max Verstappen

3rd – Valtteri Bottas

4th – Carlos Sainz

5th – Daniel Ricciardo

 

Thanks for reading the article ‘Turkish Grand Prix – Preview, Timings and Prediction’. Who do you think will come out on top this weekend? Let us know!

 

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