F1 Preview: Hamilton set for seventh world title at Istanbul Park

Lewis Hamilton is on the brink of becoming only the second driver to reach seven Formula 1 World Championships as the Grand Prix circus returns to Istanbul Park in Turkey.

Hamilton currently finds himself 85 points clear of team-mate Valtteri Bottas with four races left, meaning that as long as the British driver finishes on the podium, he will win the title with three races to spare despite the shortened 2020 schedule.

But despite the dominance of Hamilton and Mercedes not just this season but since the partnership began in 2014, it looks increasingly likely that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff will take a backseat role for 2021.

Hamilton himself raised the possibility that he would not be on the grid next year as ironically the record-breaker is one of the only drivers on the grid without a 2021 contract.

Red Bull Racing were the last team to win around Istanbul Park in 2011 when Sebastian Vettel won from pole position to make up for the 2010 debacle with his team-mate Mark Webber. But things have changed rather a lot since then as Mercedes came home fifth and twelfth nine years ago which would be a remarkable result if that was repeated this weekend.

It will be a new circuit for both Max Verstappen and Alex Albon in F1, but after complete unknowns at Portimao and Imola, at least the teams have more up-to-date data and given Red Bull’s success at this circuit, this should set them up well for the weekend.

Heading to Istanbul, Renault, McLaren and Racing Point are all separated by a single point following Daniel Ricciardo’s second podium of the season. With the margins so tight, all three teams know that every point will count between now and the end of the season.

The Australian is certainly leaving a positive legacy at the French outfit before he heads to pastures new at McLaren. The fast and flowing Istanbul Park circuit should suit Renault with long straights, low-speed sections and medium-speed corners makes the Turkish circuit similar to Nurburgring, but with the margins so tight, they cannot take anything for granted.

McLaren and Racing Point will also fancy their chances as both McLaren drivers continue to deliver for the team and Racing Point can never be discounted.

Ferrari head to another track where they had so much success in the past. Felipe Massa won three years in a row at the Istanbul park circuit between 2006-08 for Ferrari as the Brazilian seemed to jell perfectly with the Turkish GP circuit.

While Sebastian Vettel is a former winner here, this will be Charles Leclerc’s maiden outing at Istanbul Park. It will be interesting to see whether Vettel can rekindle some of that magic from previous years or if Leclerc will have the march on the German once again.

Alpha Tauri had an excellent outing at Imola as Daniil Kvyat came home a strong fourth at the Emilia Romanga GP after Pierre Gasly’s untimely early exit. The Russian had his chance to shine and he delivered well-earned points for the junior Italian squad. But now, they arrive in Turkey just 14 points behind the senior Italian team with four races to go. So can they topple Ferrari?

Alfa Romeo benefited from a crazy race in Imola as both drivers scored for the first time this season. This has now moved the team five points clear of their rivals Haas with four races to go. The Sauber name under its many guises in F1 have now reached 500 Grand Prix starts and they will hope to celebrate this achievement with yet more points.

Haas will be on the lookout for another strong finish at Istanbul Park. But after announcing that both Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean will not be racing for them next season, the American team have not yet said who will replace them. The final two rounds of the Formula 2 season are to take place at Bahrain, so expect an announcement after that.

Williams Racing have had another setback this weekend as their team boss Simon Roberts has tested positive for COVID-19 in the build-up to this weekend’s Turkish GP. He will now self-isolate for ten days in the UK and support the team’s operations remotely. The team will now be led by team manager Dave Redding and chief vehicle design engineer Adam Carter who will assume responsibilities in Turkey.

Williams are the only team yet to score a point this season which they hope will change between now and the end of the season. Both of their drivers George Russell and Nicholas Latifi have been confirmed at the team for 2021 despite rumours that Racing Point’s Sergio Perez could take Russell’s seat.

As the F1 paddock descends on Istanbul Park, Hamilton is preparing for another Grand Prix which could see him equal Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles. The British driver continues to etch his name into the F1 history books and this weekend could see his stature elevated once more.