F1 Returns To Turkey, Hamilton Aims For Seventh Title

Lewis Hamilton (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Lewis Hamilton could match Michael Schumacher's record seven world titles and beat the former Ferrari great racer as the best of all time, in Formula 1 at the Turkish Grand Prix this weekend.

The Mercedes spearhead, who has bagged 93 victories during his career, could become world champion again at the Istanbul Park Circuit, if his team-mate and only title rivals Valtteri Bottas fails to score an additional eight points.

Currently the 35-year-old British racer leads the standings with an 85-point advantage over Bottas with the maximum 78 points available, after the race in Turkey ended when the remaining season was spent in three series held in the Middle East, through two series in Bahrain and one in Abu. Dhabi.

That means Hamilton will be sufficient to finish second if Bottas wins the Turkish Grand Prix, and if the Finn does not win a point from the fastest lap, as quoted by Antara from Reuters.

The easy way, Hamilton just has to beat Bottas. This is what he has done 10 times in the 13 races that have been held this season.

Hamilton, who has held the record for pole positions, podium finishes and most points finishes, has only finished outside of the top three this season with his worst result in seventh place. In the last 46 races, Hamilton has always finished with points.

Meanwhile, Mercedes has won the constructors' title for the seventh consecutive year at Imola, Italy on November 1 and is well on its way to securing the world championship racer crown.

"We, as a team, we have done an extraordinary job," Hamilton said after the success, saying that team titles were almost better than titles for riders.

However, Hamilton has not pocketed a contract extension with the Silver Arrow team for next season.

Istanbul Park's Turn 8 is 🔥🔥🔥Soon we'll find out how the 2020 F1 cars handle it! 😃TurkishGP 🇹🇷 # F1 pic.twitter.com/ZnK5ZWsm5u

- Formula 1 (@ F1) November 7, 2020

After the last time hosting F1 in 2011, Turkey has again held the Grand Prix as a replacement circuit in the season calendar affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The circuit with Turn 8 which is very long is one of the favorite riders, even though the number of spectators in normal times is not too large.

The fans will not be present at the circuit this weekend, because the race will be held closed following the pandemic that still haunts.

"This is a track that presents good races in the past, so it will be interesting to see how modern Formula 1 cars do it," said Alfa Romeo team racer Kimi Raikkonen, who won at the 2005 Turkish Grand Prix with McLaren.

Apart from Mercedes and Red Bull, the fierce battle for third place will involve Renault, McLaren and Racing Point, each of which is only one point away in the constructors' standings.