LEWIS HAMILTON has qualified first in Istanbul with a new track record.
However he will start the race in eleventh after taken a new combustion engine, exceeding his allocation of engine changes.
Perhaps more significantly for the Brit, team-mate Valtteri Bottas has qualified in second place, meaning he will start on pole.
Max Verstappen qualified third so will start second, and Hamilton will be hoping Bottas can the Dutchman up while he makes his way through the field.
Follow all the action with our live blog below…
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HAM HUNT
Lewis Hamilton has warned Max Verstappen he’s gunning for victory in tomorrow’s Turkish GP – despite his 10-place grid penalty.
He said: “It really depends on what the weather we’ve got and yes, partly cautious, but also super attacking; I need to win the race somehow. So that’s my goal.
“I was already third at the end of Turn One last year, so that made a bit of a difference, but it’s a different weekend.
“My eyes are still solely set on winning the race; it’s going to be very hard from 11th, but not impossible.
“So… just making sure we’ll deliver maximum attack. It is not going to be easy to fight through, but whether there is a wheel there is a way.
“We will try and make sure it is balanced and try to minimise the damage and get as high as possible.”
RACE REPORT
We’ve seen the official qualifying classifications, now read the SunSport report for the verdict from Istanbul Park…
Lewis Hamilton was fastest in Turkey but faces a grid penaltyCredit: AFP TIME KEEPING
Here is the official qualifying classification from Istanbul Park.
As SunSport has reported, Hamilton was quickest in his Mercedes but a 10-place grid penalty will see him start tomorrow’s race from 11th.
That means pole position goes to his team-mate Valtteri Bottas, with Hamilton’s championship rival Max Verstappen promoted to the front row from third.
HAMILTON IS QUICKEST IN QUALIFYING
A mega job from Hamilton, who has that engine penalty and will have a 10-place penalty.
Bottas is in P2 but will be promoted to pole for the race. Verstappen is third quickest and elevated to second on the gird.
VERSTAPPEN IS ONLY QUICK ENOUGH FOR THIRD
Bottas is second.
HAMILTON GOES QUICKEST
A new track record to eclipse Bottas’ time. 1:22.868 is the time. What has Verstappen got in reply?
90 seconds to go. It is Hamilton, Bottas, Verstappen, Gasly, Perez, Alonso, Norris, Leclerc, Tsunoda and Stroll.
GASLY IN FOURTH
With respect to AlphaTauri, it is incredible he has been overlooked for a seat in one of the bigger teams.
GOOD START FOR BOTTAS
The Finn takes provisional pole. Hamilton is second-quickest and Verstappen in third based on their first runs.
Q3 IS GO – BACK ON THE QUICKER, SOFT TYRES
Hamilton v Verstappen. It has been all Hamilton so far this weekend.
ELIMINATED FROM Q2
Sainz, Schumacher, Russell, Vettel and Ocon.
Meanwhile, at the top Hamilton dominates. Verstappen second-quickest.
RUSSELL GOES WIDE AT THE LAST CORNER
Shame for the Williams man, who was flying. But a mistake at the final turn sees him knocked out.
ONE MINUTE TO GO
Sainz, Schumacher, Vettel, Russell and Leclerc are all in the drop zone.
But Lance Stroll has gone off track. He is in danger of getting bumped out.
SPIN FOR LECLERC
He loses it at the end of his lap and spins off. He’s heading back to the garage for new tyres.
STRONG OPENING LAPS FROM HAMILTON
He is looking awesome on these medium tyres. He’s 0.407 seconds clear of Verstappen, who is in P2.
Q2 IS GO – RED BULL AND MERCEDES STRAIGHT OUT
That rain is looming. Both cars on medium tyres, looking to start the race on those sets.
Q1 RESULTS
Close at the top.
WHAT A RESULT FOR SCHUMACHER
In tricky conditions – and in a under-strength car – he is into Q2. He’s over the moon.
He’s quicker than Vettel. And THREE SECONDS quicker than his teammate, Mazepin.
VERSTAPPEN RECOVERS HE IS SAFE
The Dutchman is in second quickest, behind Hamilton. But Daniel Ricciardo is OUT in Q1.
That’s a huge blow to the Aussie, who simply ran out of time. He is eliminated at the first hurdle.
VERSTAPPEN HAS HIS LAP TIME DELETED
He drops to 10th place. Nervous times for Red Bull?
TWO MINUTES TO GO – VETTEL IN THE DROP ZONE
The four-time world champion has some work to do if he is to get into Q2.
SAINZ SPINS
Ferrari man is due to start last due to engine penalties, but is still struggling out there.
ITS IS RAINING
Hamilton goes quickest, he does get his lap in.
VERSTAPPEN SPINS TOO
He says he “tried to take it careful but never got the grip”. With the rain looming, could we see a big scalp in Q1?
THIS COULD BE A CHAOTIC
Drivers all bunching up to try and get a lap in. Lewis Hamilton jumps the queue and makes a mistake.
He goes off track and he’s spoiled that lap already.
Carlos Sainz also spins and complains of cold tyres.
GREEN LIGHT – QUALIFYING FOR THE TIRKISH GP IS GO
And with rain expected, it is already a very busy pitlane. Drivers will be looking to get their laps in early – before the downpours!
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
