Formula 1, Turkish GP: Bottas on pole ahead of Verstappen and Leclerc

Lewis Hamilton sets the best time, but tomorrow he will start eleventh. The Ferrari driver Sainz will start from the bottom to replace the power unit

Reliability may not be flawless, but Mercedes in Turkey still teaches everyone about speed. Lewis Hamilton set the best time in qualifying for the Istanbul Grand Prix in 1’22.868, but the pole position is not his. The reason: he has fitted the fourth heat engine of the season and for this reason he will be relegated by 10 places and will start from eleventh place.

The pole is by right assigned to his teammate Valtteri Bottas. It is the 18th time that the Finn starts in first position, thus equaling René Arnoux and a record: they are the only two riders to have obtained so many poles without ever having won a world championship.

Front row for Verstappen: everything to see is the duel at the start between Red Bull in white livery in honor of the Honda engine supplier (this weekend it should have taken place in Japan) and Mercedes. Between the two litigants, Charles Leclerc could enter, protagonist of an unexpected third place, favored by his teammate Carlos Sainz who pulled his trail in Q2 and allowed him to enter the top 10. “I was a bit scared at the beginning – says the Monegasque driver -. The car was difficult to drive and I was sliding a lot. In Q3 it finally went well. Target? I always race to win, having in mind that we play it with McLaren and not with the two teams in front of the standings ».

Verstappen is satisfied: «We weren’t able to fight for pole. It was the best result that could be achieved. We are happy”.

Ferrari’s strategy was intelligent, with Sainz having nothing to lose (he was relegated to last position for having replaced the power unit). The Spaniard in Q1 contributed to the elimination of Ricciardo (McLaren), a direct opponent for third place among the constructors. Then, as written, he helped a Leclerc in temporary difficulty to go through to Q3. In the end he finished with the 15th time and will start 20th.

Behind the first three were placed: 4. Gasly (AlphaTauri); 5. Alonso (Alpine); 6. Perez (Red Bull); 7. Norris (McLaren); 8. Stroll (Aston Martin); 9. Tsunoda (AlphaTauri); 10. Vettel (Aston Martin); 11. Hamilton (Mercedes); 17. Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo); 20th Sainz (Ferrari).

Tomorrow (Sunday 10) the race (direct Sky at 2 pm, postponed on Tv8 from 6 pm).

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