Turkish Grand Prix Results: Hamilton Clenches In Impressive Fashion

Lewis Hamilton matches Micheal Schumacher taking his 7th drivers championship in impressive style as the grid was truly tested this time out at the Turkish Grand Prix.

After a lackluster qualifying session and watching Vestappen dominate the session, Hamilton would start just on the third row as neither Valtteri Bottas could continue their streak of pole positions on the season for the Silver Arrows. Hamilton would struggle in sector 2 of the first lap of the race, all but washing away his lap 1 gains but he’d continue to rise throughout the wet session. 

The rosetta stone to the entire grand prix was how the teams managed the inters. Bottas would struggle all afternoon as he would take 3 spin cycles and ultimately be lapped by his teammate. Hamilton would change his rubber a single time taking the compounds right up to the limit – a move that paid off Sergio Perez as well.

Net, I stand corrected.

The real gutting blow was to Lance Stroll. He had done just about everything right but he should have been pulling away rather than being reeled in. Easy for me to say, I know. But conservative driving and a failed overcut would be his undoing. about 25% of the race in the books and the Canadian was 10 seconds ahead where he would begin to unravel. It was mostly strategy calls with some less than cut throat driving. Those small margins left on the table would be the difference that allowed the top two the contra strategy that would ultimately net a podium for Hamilton, Perez, and surprisingly Vettel.

My prediction above about Perez and Hamilton never came true but Leclerc on for a podium was all but correct until the penultimate corner. Leclerc’s eyes were bigger than skills in this scenario as he’d overtake Perez for P2 but in doing so, he’d compromise his exit so much, not only did Perez make a last turn pass, Sebastian Vettel would pick up the scraps for his 121st podium in his extensive Formula 1 career. Meanwhile, Leclerc would recall his Baku radio back up with an extra bit of color for good measure after falling in the tail lights of his rival/teammate:

“I AM FUCKING STUPID!”

Not only was it not Verstappen’s day, Albon also dropped the ball having another spin as he was in prime position to claim a podium of his own just a handful of seconds behind the leading Racing Point (at the time). The Dutchman bottled it at turn 11 as he was on to earn his win to take him to double digits finally. After both charging bulls were deflated, they would only recover for a P6 & P7 finish. 

WHAT’S NEXT FOR F1?

With the Drivers World Championship locked up as well as the Constructors Championship going to Mercedes yet again, there’s still plenty to sort out. And for that, the grid takes a long trip to the middle east where we will spend 3 rounds for the triple header to end in style. Will Verstappen surge as Bottas’ form wanes? Who will take best of the rest? All that and then some coming up. You can stay out to date with the Cranky Yankee Motorsport News Hub for all your Formula 1 coverage.