Sunday's summary: Mercedes shows speed and Verstappen regains lead
Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix was another eventful day. Valtteri Bottas drove to a dominant victory at Istanbul Park and Max Verstappen finished second. GPblog lists the highlights of the day.
Verstappen regains the lead
The Dutchman may not have won the race, but a strong P2 ensures that he is back in the lead in the championship. The gap to Lewis Hamilton is just six points. The Briton finished only fifth after a late pit stop caused problems with the intermediate tyres. Sergio Perez is slowly closing in on Lando Norris' fourth place. Read the full championship standings here.
Top speed Mercedes
Mercedes seem to have found some extra speed in the final stages of the season. Red Bull were expected to have a strong car in Turkey, but Mercedes were faster all weekend. Christian Horner even went to the FIA to ask some questions about the 15 to 20hp extra speed Mercedes has on the straights. Valtteri Bottas drove a dominant race and finished with a big lead over Verstappen. The next race is the United States Grand Prix, where it will be exciting who has the faster car there.
Hamilton frustrated
After Mercedes' late decision to pit Hamilton for new tyres, the Briton sounded frustrated on the board radio. According to the seven times world champion, he could have continued on the same set of tyres until the end. At the end of the race there was a deadly silence after Hamilton's engineer apologised. According to Mercedes Hamilton would have finished fifth or even lower if he had continued.
Christian Horner is such a cry baby when he doesn't get his way? Red Bull both did a great job this weekend. And Perez really shined at being Verstappens team mate this weekend.
Not a red bull fan, nor a mercedes fan here...Im a tifosi and i see Merc taking both the titles because with the engine freeze, merc has somehow found another 15 to 20 kmhr speed on the straight line......i dont say this is illegal as thats for the FIA to decide.....but they are easily 0.5 faster than anyone else on the circuit.....Austin will show that again.....the title fight is close only because SuperMAX is getting more out of the RED BULL car......but you could see he couldnt keep up with Bottas in Turkey
As far as AT and Perez supporting max he should win the drivers championship. If he isn't then he isn't said to be the best driver. In my terms stupid driver with insane skills
The MER car’s performance is something to think about. That car is really fast. How is it possible? So instead of whining about a pitstop, HAM should be very happy with this car. Otherwise he would not have any chance.
This was the only time Bottas had a chance to to win a race in the fastest car......No more after this back to wingman ...........Max is in the lead ......He listened to the team to come in for tyres.......
6 points. In the lead Max is now the favorite of the World Championship. Lewis will try but I don't see him turning it around, RedBull have strong car and with AT and Pérez helping Vestappen ,if Lewis is not in pole then, its a tough race for him to get past 4 RedBull cars. Like I have been constantly saying Max will win this championship, all the help needed has been given.
Red Bull took a safe and conservative approach in the face of MB being so far ahead in performance. Lewis should be reminded all the times MB has had him pit in protest to have him winning the race. Bottas 2 engine allowed MB to dial iup the power where it wouldn't damage the engine. RBR is in trouble
Popular on GPBlog
Kelly Piquet shines during baby shower on Max Verstappen's brand new yacht
British media respond to Verstappen's 'flawless' Japanese Grand Prix drive where he 'stole' victory
Hamilton's former teammate saw a 'brilliant' Verstappen: 'Pure demonstration of power'
