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Seven races remain in the 2021 Formula One world championship and the battle for the title itself is still as close as ever, with only two points separating Lewis Hamilton and the red-hot Max Verstappen. Join the conversation on The Roar with a live blog from 10:50pm (AEST) as we await another twist in the tantalising battle for the championship at the Turkish Grand Prix.
Returning to the scene of Hamilton’s coronation as only the second seven-time world champion, the Turkish Grand Prix once again finds itself on the Formula One schedule – replacing the much-missed event in Japan.
As always with the eventful 58-lap race at the challenging 5.3km Intercity Circuit, there is a possibility wet weather will play its hand. In 2020 reigning champ Hamilton mastered the changeable conditions to win.
Hamilton will go into the race however with a ten-place grid penalty, with Mercedes having opted to change the internal combustion engine instead of the entire power unit – which would’ve warranted a trip to the back of the grid.
Setting the fastest lap in qualifying meant that the Briton drops to 11th for the race, while teammate Valtteri Bottas inherits pole position ahead of Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Given the pace of the mighty Mercs, Hamilton may have the opportunity from outside the top ten to still challenge for the win. Something that Red Bull and Verstappen will be hoping they can prevent, with the assistance of Sergio Perez who will need to be a buffer between the Dutchman and his rival.
Ferrari, despite having the edge on McLaren too for pace here, will have to see Carlos Sainz negotiate the field from the back of the grid. A power unit penalty sees the Spaniard take on the same spec of new PU as teammate Leclerc.
With Leclerc starting third and McLaren’s Lando Norris in seventh, there will be an opportunity for the Scuderia to take points back in their battle for third in the championship. All while Daniel Ricciardo will have his work cut out for him from outside the top ten to bounce back into the points.
AlphaTauri and Alpine will also play a part in the battle for points too, as Pierre Gasly looks to bounce back from two difficult outings and teammate Yuki Tsunoda chasing his first points finish since Hungary.
Will Hamilton be able to deliver back-to-back wins in Turkey despite his grid penalty, or will Verstappen, against the odds, keep the quick Mercedes at bay?
Join the The Roar’s live blog from 10:50 pm AEST as we kick off an exciting Turkish Grand Prix.
Lights out: 11pm (AEST)
Venue: Intercity Istanbul Park, Turkey
TV: Fox Sports
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
1. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes), 2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 4. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri), 5. Fernando Alonso (Alpine), 6. Sergio Perez (Red Bull), 7. Lando Norris (McLaren), 8. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), 9. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri), 10. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin), 11. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), 12. Esteban Ocon (Alpine), 13. George Russell (Williams), 14. Mick Schumacher (Haas), 15. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren), 16. Nicholas Latifi (Williams), 17. Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo), 18. Kimi Räikkönen (Alfa Romeo), 19. Nikita Mazepin (Haas), 20. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
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