2020 Turkish - Istanbul Park

[Nitrodaze]

We return to Istanbul Park after a nine year absence from the F1 calendar. The last race at this track was in 2011, right in the thick of the Redbull golden years. Sebastien Vettel won the last race on this track with Webber 2nd and Alonso in the Ferrari, 3rd. Vettel set poll on this occasion at 1:25:049. A time that is most likely to be smashed this weekend.

Filipe Massa is the most successful driver to race this track with three consecutive wins [2006 to 2008] in the scarlet Ferrari. Ferrari is the most success constructor to race on this circuit also. On the current grid, only Raikonen, Hamilton and Vettel have each won this race in the past.

This is typically an anticlockwise race track of 5.3km of some torturous 14 corners. It is a mix of various types of corners and one kinked straight. This track would suit the Redbull to a tee. We should expect Mercedes to get a proper challenge from Verstapenn's Redbull. It is also an unforgiving track that usually spit drivers out into the gravel traps.

Istanbull Park is also very punishing to tyres. Hence, it would be interesting to see how the Pirellis hold up to 58 laps of the famous turn 8.

Lewis Hamilton has the unique opportunity to close out the drivers title early, if he wins this race. That said, Hamilton can afford to finish second for the rest of the season and still comfortably win the title. Bottas can only win the title if Hamilton recieves zero point at this race and the rest of the season or Hamilton finish 2nd at this race and thereafter have zero points for the rest of the season. If Hamilton wins this race, he can also afford not to race for the rest of the season. Bottas still need to keep an eye out for Verstapenn, who is likely to gain some grounds on him at this race.