2020 Turkish Grand Prix

Previous race

Hamilton won the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, with Bottas second and Ricciardo third. Verstappen retired from second after a puncture. Mercedes secured their seventh consecutive Constructors’ World Championship — the most consecutive titles by any team, breaking Ferrari’s record of six from 1999 to 2004.

Championship permutations

Hamilton holds an 85-point lead over Bottas with a maximum of 104 points still available across the remaining races. Hamilton can clinch the Drivers’ Championship at this race. Bottas must outscore Hamilton by at least eight points to keep the title fight alive. If Bottas finishes lower than sixth, Hamilton wins the championship regardless of his own finishing position. If Hamilton finishes second, Bottas would need both the win and the fastest lap to remain in contention.

Milestones

The Turkish Grand Prix returns for the first time since the 2011 season. The Istanbul Park circuit’s 500-metre lap record — set by Juan Pablo Montoya in 2005 with a time of 1:24.770 — has not been challenged in nine years. The Alfa Romeo team’s entry this weekend marks Sauber Motorsport’s 500th Grand Prix as a constructor. It is also Red Bull Racing’s 300th Grand Prix entry.

Tyre choices

Pirelli brings the C1, C2, and C3 compounds — the three hardest available. The track was resurfaced shortly before the race, but Pirelli was unaware of this in advance; had they known, softer compounds would have been selected to suit the smoother surface. A second DRS zone is added on the straight between the final and first corners.

Practice

The first practice session ended with Verstappen fastest ahead of his Red Bull teammate Alex Albon, with Leclerc third for Ferrari. Hamilton was only fifteenth, Bottas ninth. Multiple drivers spun during the session and all struggled for speed; bitumen seeping from the fresh tarmac and cold November conditions contributed to exceptionally low grip levels. Lap times were approximately ten seconds slower than the circuit’s previous Grand Prix and fifteen to twenty seconds below qualifying expectations. Bottas compared the conditions to driving on ice in Finland.

Verstappen went fastest again in FP2, seven seconds quicker than his opening session time as grip improved. Leclerc was second, Bottas third. The third and final practice session was held in wet conditions, with Verstappen again fastest ahead of Leclerc and Albon. Hamilton did not set a time. Norris spun off the circuit; Leclerc made minor contact with Ocon.