VALTTERI BOTTAS has claimed victory in the Turkish Grand Prix after holding off Max Verstappen.
But it hasn’t been such a happy story for Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
The Brit looked like he may be able to battle from eleventh place to an unlikely podium before his team asked him to pit against his will.
That stop saw him lose places to Sebastian Perez and Charles Leclerc, which he was unable to regain.
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VERSTAPPEN READY FOR WHAT’S TO COME
FULL RACE RESULTS
VERSTAPPEN TAKES CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD
BOTTAS WINS
BOT TOP
Bottas’ last win came over a year ago in the Russian GP.
He has now won his 10th in his F1 career, and he believes his performance was one of his best.
He said: “It’s been a while. It feels good. From my side, that’s one of the best races I’ve had.
“It’s not easy to choose the strategy here in these conditions. It feels like a well-earned victory.”
VALTTERI BOTTAS WINS THE TURKISH GP
Verstappen is second. Perez is third. Leclerc is fourth and Hamilton is down in fifth.
Good results all round for Red Bull, as Verstappen has a six point lead in the championship.
FINAL LAP
Bottas is on his way to his 10th win in F1. His first since Russia last year.
HAMILTON NOW UNDER PRESSURE FROM GASLY
He is struggling with those new tyres. Gasly meanwhile is flying. He could pass the world champion here.
HAMILTON IS FURIOUS
He’s discovered he dropped from third to fifth following that pitstop. He is now closing in on Leclerc, who is struggling for grip.
LAP 52
Perez has now passed Leclerc and moves into the podium places.
LAP 51 HAMILTON PITS FOR TYRES
He has gone for a new set of intermediate tyres. He has now dropped to fifth and behind Perez.
Hamilton was incredibly relaxed about the decision but with the threat of rain, perhaps Merc could not risk keeping him out.
LAP 50 HAMILTON ASKED ABOUT HIS TYRES
He says: “I am sliding around, but it’s ok.” He’s still on the same set of tyres he stated the race on.
LAP 47
Bottas regains the lead as he is on the new set of intermediate tyres. He passes Leclerc into Turn One. Good move from Bottas.
LAP 46
Slow burner this race, but it is about to get pretty exciting. Hamilton is still on the same set of intermediate tyres.
LAP 44
Leclerc, Bottas, Verstappen, Hamilton; that’s you top four. Bottas and Verstappen have stopped for new tyres.
LAP 42 HAMILTON QUESTIONS HIS TEAM’S CHOICE ON TYRES
The team have a new set of intermediate tyres ready, but he says he is not so sure.
His team are back in the garage while they re-assess the conditions.
Mercedes: “Box box, box box”
Hamilton: “Why?”
Mercedes: “New inter is the way to go”
Hamilton: “I don’t think it is, man”
PEREZ ALSO STOPS
The Mexican is in for tyres and Hamilton is now in fourth.
LAP 38
Bottas now stops he has opted for a new set of intermediates. Leclerc leads the race, but has yet to stop.
LAP 37
Verstappen pits from P2. It is a good stop. Very quick. 2.1 seconds. He is back out on track.
LAP 35
Fantastic wheel to wheel action from Hamilton and Perez. Both kept it clean. It looked as thought Hamilton had the move done, but he fought back and held his time into Turn One.
The Mexican retains his position and stays in fourth and crucially holds up Hamilton for his teammate.
LAP 33
Hamilton is now under a second off Perez. Crucially that means he is DRS distance.
LAP 29
Good fight between Vettel and Ocon for 10th place. The Aston Martin man remains ahead.
HAMILTON REPORTS THAT HE IS LOSING GRIP
He radios the team saying: “Grip is starting to drop a little bit. Still no dry line. Exit of 8 only.”
LAP 26 – CRUCIAL PART OF THE RACE
The pitstop window is open as we approach this halfway stage of the race. Bottas leads Verstappen.
Leclerc, Perez, Hamilton is the top five.
BOTTAS HAS A MOMENT
It was looking easy for the Finn up front, but perhaps it is not that straight-forward in the conditions.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
