LEWIS HAMILTON is world champion for a record seventh time after a stunning drive in Turkey.
Hamilton LAPS Bottas after teammate spins on opening corner.
Stroll starts on pole but fails to get on podium.
1st Hamilton 2nd Perez 3rd Vettel
Follow ALL of the latest reaction below…
‘I’M JUST GETTING STARTED’
Hamilton is ready to go again…
“There’s no end to what me and this team can do together. What a day. A lot to take in.
“I feel like I’m only just getting started. I feel physically in great shape and mentally this year has been the hardest year for millions of people and it’s no different for us athletes.”
LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN
If you’re just joining us, Lewis Hamilton has made history.
LECLERC TURNS AIR BLUE
It wasn’t a day to remember for the Ferrari driver who handed a podium finish to teammate Sebastien Vettel by messing up three corners from the line.
Leclerc blasted through team radio: “I did a s*** job. A s*** job.”
Understandably, he’s calmed down now and although frustrated at his own performance has congratulated Hamilton on his triumph.
And of course, a huge congratulations to @LewisHamilton for being a seven times World Champion. What an achievement!
— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) November 15, 2020
HOW THE RACE WAS WON
Instead of coasting home, Hamilton thumped on the accelerator and thumped the brake pedal as if his life depended on it, writes Ben Hunt.
And in treacherous conditions too. He battled his way through the field, taking heart-in-the-mouth risks, to cross the line 31.6 seconds ahead of Sergio Perez in second place.
There is an argument that he wins because he has the best car. At this race, with conditions a real leveller, the best driver won.
It is as simple as that.
Before the race, there were some worried faces as the dark clouds gathered over the Istanbul Park circuit and the heavens opened.
The rain had caused havoc the previous day to result in an unlikely first pole position for Lance Stroll.
But there was one man who looked an oasis of calm, despite what was at stake as Hamilton stuck to his usual pre-race routine.
GROUP EFFORT
The entire Mercedes team were going berserk as Hamilton crossed the line – and an emotional driver went to celebrate with them in the pits.
IN CASE YOU’RE LATE TO THE PARTY…
Lewis Hamilton clinched his record-equalling seventh world title by putting in a vintage performance to win the Turkish Grand Prix.
It was win 94 in his glorious F1 career and yet another master class.
With his only rival, Valtteri Bottas sinking like a stone after so many spins that he was probably left dizzy, Hamilton didn’t even need to complete this race.
Hamilton said: “My whole life I’ve secretly dreamt as high as this.
“I remember watching Michael winning those championships. We always hear just to get 1 or 2 or even 3 is so hard to get – 7 is just so unimaginable.
“There’s no end to what me and this team can do together. What a day. A lot to take in.”
THE CHAMP SPEAKS
An emotional Hamilton has taken to his socials…
7X Formula 1 World Champion. Wow. To everyone that has supported me along the way, this is for you. To my incredible family, where do I even start? I am eternally grateful for your unconditional love, sacrifices and support… https://t.co/Uwb34qzCx2
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) November 15, 2020
RAW EMOTION
This is what it feels like to be a seven-time world champion…
TEAM-MATE TRIBUTE
Valtteri Bottas: “He deserves it, he was better than us on average and fully deserves it. I’ll try and beat him next year.”
THE STATS
Here it is, the comparison between 7-time world champions…
DREAM BIG
Lewis Hamilton talking to Mark Webber: “My whole life I’ve secretly dreamt as high as this.
“I remember watching Michael winning those championships. We always hear just to get 1 or 2 or even 3 is so hard to get – 7 is just so unimaginable.
“There’s no end to what me and this team can do together. What a day. A lot to take in.
“I feel like I’m only just getting started. I feel physically in great shape and mentally this year has been the hardest year for millions of people and it’s no different for us athletes.”
MORE FROM LEWIS
“There was a point when Seb was pulling away from me but I just kept my head down and kept believing I would pick up pace at some stage and that’s what I did.
“I couldn’t figure out what it was. I was checking my temperatures.
“Seb pitted and I knew that wasn’t the right choice and stayed out.
“I lost a world championship in the pit lane so I learned my lesson from 2007. I felt like I had it under control and deal with the rain if it dropped.”
‘DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE’
An emotional Hamilton: “I’m a bit lost for words. I think naturally I have to start with saying thank you to the team. The journey we’ve been on is monumental.
“I want to say also a big thank you to team LH for sticking with me all these years. And to my family who dreamed of this when we were young and watching the grand prix. This is way beyond our dreams.
“It’s so important for kids out there to see this and know that don’t listen to anybody who tells you you can’t achieve something. Dream the impossible and speak it into existence. You’ve got to work for it, chase it and never give up.”
TOP 10
Here’s how they finished after a brilliant race in Turkey.
SEB’S BACK
Vettel on the podium as well. How refreshing to see.
HAMMER TIME
Hamilton on team radio: “For all the kids out there who dream the impeccable, you can do it too just believe in yourself.”
He sounds emotional, too, and why wouldn’t he be?
HAMILTON WINS!
Lewis Hamilton is a seven-time world champion.
One of his best race wins of the season.
Stunning driving from a stunning champion – one of Britain’s finest ever.
LAP 57
No, Hamilton overrules. He’s staying out.
LAP 56
Hamilton told that rain is expected to hit turn 8.
And the Brit responds to say that these tyres won’t work if there’s rain.
Mercedes are in the pit lane to get him an insurance stop.
LAP 54
A little bit of rain here would put a spanner in the works for Hamilton.
Time for an insurance pit stop?
LAP 53
Rain possibly on the way? It will have to be quick to make a difference here.
Hamilton from Perez, Leclerc in third, Vettel fourth, Sainz fifth.
LAP 51
Seven laps to go and it looks like Hamilton and Perez are taking these intermediate tyres all the way.
Their tyres are basically slicks now with no grip left for the water.
It there’s any more rain they might have a sticky final few laps.
LAP 48
Mercedes solve the problem by boxing Bottas for new tyres.
His looked very worn.
Hamilton is 19 seconds ahead of Perez in second now. That’s almost a full pit stop.
LAP 46
Hamilton on team radio says Bottas has blue flags, someone might want to tell him to get out of my way.
Slightly amusing… but not for Bottas I’m sure.
LAP 44
Hamilton has a whole pitstop advantage now to Leclerc in third so is looking very good for the win here.
He was frustrated for most of the afternoon and is now 16 seconds clear of second place Perez.
What must Racing Point be thinking? They had a 1/2 on the cards and now might have to settle for one podium.
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