Turkish GP: Hamilton secures 7th F1 title with victory in Istanbul

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Lewis Hamilton wrapped up a historic seventh Formula 1 championship with victory at the Turkish Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Mercedes driver produced a brilliant extended stint on a set of intermediates to move up into the lead, going on to cross the line nearly 30 seconds clear of the field.

Racing Point had led the way for most of the race, but as others with degradation, Hamilton made his last to lead Sergio Perez and Sebastian Vettel, who snatched third at the final corner.

Race Review

Rain before the start forced all drivers onto full wets with Lance Stroll holding the lead into Turn 1 from pole ahead of his teammate as Max Verstappen had an awful start before recovering to fourth.

Vettel makes an incredible start upto third from 11th as Hamilton initially jumps to P3 before going wide at Turn 9 and losing three places.

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Ocon and Bottas spin together at Turn 1 and Turn 12 as they drop to the back of the field.

Leclerc is the first to switch onto intermediates and immediately goes fastest triggering the leaders to pit for the shallower-grooved wets.

The stops allow Verstappen to jump Vettel for third and close significantly on Perez in second as Stroll continues to lead by 10 seconds.

Leclerc's early stop promotes him upto ninth as Russell, who started from the pit-lane after hitting the barrier on his lap to the grid, moves upto 11th after starting on inters.

A retirement for Giovinazzi causes a brief VSC and puts Vettel on the back foot when the track goes green again.

Albon capitalises to pass both Hamilton and the Ferrari to claim fourth.

Verstappen's race is compromised by a spin trying to attack Perez through Turn 11, dropping the Dutchman to eighth after pitting for new tyres.

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The race entered a subdued phase as drivers struggled with degradation on the used tyres and tried to wait for slicks.

However, with the track refusing to dry enough, Leclerc again was the first to opt for new intermediates and triggered a new round of stops for many.

The exception was Hamilton who found pace on the old tyres and moved into the lead after Stroll pitted and he passed Perez on the run to Turn 12.

Leclerc suddenly became the man on the move passing Albon, Stroll and Vettel in the space of a lap to claim fourth, while the long-time race leader starts dropping down the field after pitting.

The Monegasque then continues his charge taking third from Verstappen, who pits for a third time shortly afterwards.

At the front, a chance of rain threatened to disturb Hamilton's run to the finish but it would hold off as he crossed the line for his 10th win of the season.

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Behind, Leclerc got ahead of Perez into Turn 12 on the final lap but ran wide allowing the Mexican and Vettel through in the final corner to complete the podium.

Charles had to settle for fourth ahead of Carlos Sainz, who quietly made his way through to fifth for McLaren.

A dramatic day for Verstappen ends in sixth ahead of Red Bull teammate Alex Albon. Lando Norris helped McLaren back upto third in the Constructors' Championship in eighth.

Stroll ended up ninth as his race capitulated late on as Daniel Ricciardo rounded out the top 10 for Renault.

Down the field, Valtteri Bottas had a woeful race following his Lap 1 dramas, spinning twice exiting Turn 2 and finishing a lap down on teammate Hamilton in 14th.

 

         

 

 

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