Pick the Podium - F-1 - Rolex Turkish Grand Prix, Intercity Istanbul Park, Turkey, October 2021

[Retroram52]

Seven real races left on the schedule as we leave Russia and head to Turkey. Hamilton is up on Verstappen by just 1.5 points and Verstappen had a fantastic drive from the back of the filed to finish second. We shall how the developing power issues of the Mercedes engines plays out in this race.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Scuttlebutt has Lewis taking his 4th this weekend.

Last year he owned this track like nobody else. 50 seconds ahead of 2nd place Perez on bald intermediate tires.

 

[Retroram52]

Saw that Hank. Wolff is also quoted as saying that the Mercs are going to come to the next seven races loaded for Bear. I think Hamilton is done being second fiddle to Verstappen. I thinks the fire to get Hamilton's eighth as been kindled into a bona fide bonfire!!

 

[Schmoopy1000]

Saw that Hank. Wolff is also quoted as saying that the Mercs are going to come to the next seven races loaded for Bear. I think Hamilton is done being second fiddle to Verstappen. I thinks the fire to get Hamilton's eighth as been kindled into a bona fide bonfire!!

So can I assume this next track is a very passable track for F1?

Is that why Merc decided to do the fresh engine on this track?

 

[Retroram52]

Yea Schmoopy. The track at Turkey is pretty passable as these circuits go. Hamilton loves this track and I am pretty sure he is come to the circuit guns ablazin!

 

[Retroram52]

Looks as though one-by-one drivers and teams are blowing-off the mandate to keep only four power plants for all season and are taking the hit in grid starting position to have the new HP.

Sainz to start Turkish GP from the back of the grid after taking on new Ferrari power unit | Formula 1®

Carlos Sainz is set to start this weekend’s Turkish Grand Prix from the back of the grid, after receiving the new hybrid system that team mate Charles Leclerc tried out at the previous race in Sochi.

www.formula1.com

 

[Retroram52]

Even with the changes teams are doing, Hamilton is dominating practice and Verstappen is struggling unless he is sandbagging things.

2021 Turkish Grand Prix FP2 report: Lewis Hamilton fends off Charles Leclerc to set pace in second Turkish GP practice | Formula 1®

Lewis Hamilton continued to set the pace at Istanbul Park as he set the fastest time in second practice for the Turkish Grand Prix, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc impressing in second…

www.formula1.com

 

[forty_three]

Lewis is gonna get tired of looking at the back of Lando's car.

 

[Retroram52]

Don't know if Hamilton is going to receive a grid penalty or not for the proposed engine change coming.

 

[Retroram52]

Gasly and Verstappen were dominant in FP3. Hamilton was in the back of the field. Don't know if he was running the new engine or not. Qualifying ought to be interesting.

 

[forty_three]

Total crapshoot here. Lewis should get to the front without too much bother, but how long can VB77 keep Max behind is the question. Mercs are damn fast.

HAM
BOT
VER
NOR

Of course all this could be moot by the exit of turn 1

 

[ckhokie]

Of course all this could be moot by the exit of turn 1

That’s my thought. I think Valtteri is done putting his race on the line for Lewis and the team though.

VER
HAM
BOT
NOR

 

[Retroram52]

Hamilton starts with a 10-place grid penalty but he's got a new engine. Verstappen is struggling a bit but we shall see how this plays out.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Only the actual engine part (ICE) which is why only 10 place penalty. Sainz changed the whole kit and kaboodle like Verstappen last race and starts from the back.

This track barely resembles the track from last year. Not a ton of passing zones though. Undercut or overcut might be how Lewis advances through the field after the first few easy pickings passes.

I think Bottas wins this race.

Bottas
Hamilton
Verstappen
Leclerc

 

[Hank Kingsley]

TSN is now broadcasting one channel in 4K.

And they picked up Sky's 4K feed for Quali.

And likely the race.

Pretty cool. And my 4K PVR can record it too.

 

[Retroram52]

I'll go with Verstappen, Hamilton, Bottas, LeClerc.

 

[Schmoopy1000]

Hamilton
Bottas
Verstappen
Leclerc

 

[Retroram52]

On second thought, I'll go with Hamilton, Bottas, Verstappen, LeClerc.

 

[Retroram52]

Wow, Bottas roars to the front and after 5 laps, Bottas leads Verstappen and LeClerc as Hamilton moves to ninth making-up two positions with great passing and speed.

 

[Retroram52]

With 8 laps done, Hamilton moves to 8th.