3 yıl önce

Istanbul poised to host 8th Turkish F1 Grand Prix

Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton can match Michael Schumacher's record seven world championships and overtake the former Ferrari great as the most successful Formula One driver of all time in Istanbul on Sunday.

AP

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during a practice session at the Istanbul Park circuit racetrack in Istanbul, November 13, 2020.

After a nine-year break, Formula 1 is once again heading to Istanbul for the eighth Turkish Grand Prix.

The season's Round 14 over 58 laps will be held on Sunday at the Intercity Istanbul Park on a 5.3-kilometre track.

The qualifying round will kick off at 1200 GMT on Saturday, while the race will start at 1010 GMT on Sunday behind closed doors due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Having won nine races this season, Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton sits at the top of the drivers' standings with 282 points and is seeking the seventh Formula 1 title of his career in Istanbul.

Mercedes already won the constructors' championship for the seventh time in a row ahead of the Turkish Grand Prix.

Welcome back @F1!

Istanbul has been missing the incredible sound of F1 cars.
Following a nine-year break, we are ready to host the 8th #TurkishGP🇹🇷 on Sunday.

We wish good luck to all the drivers and teams racing at one of the best circuits in the world. pic.twitter.com/TGhkcjsMaA
— Fahrettin Altun (@fahrettinaltun) November 13, 2020

Chosen one 👇#TurkishGP 🇹🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/UL1mPSadJe
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 13, 2020

Two billion people

Turkey's Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Adil Karaismailoglu said on Friday that Formula 1 was of great importance both in promoting the country and the city of Istanbul.

"The race is being aired by 250 broadcasters. This will be an event that reaches about 2 billion people," Karaismailoglu told Anadolu Agency in an interview.

2020 driver standings:

1. Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain): 282

2. Valtteri Bottas (Finland): 197

3. Max Verstappen (Netherlands): 162

4. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia): 95

5. Charles Leclerc (Monaco): 85

2020 constructor standings:

1. Mercedes: 479

2. Red Bull-Honda: 226

3. Renault: 135

4. McLaren Renault: 134

5. Racing Point: 134