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Greatness may attract Lewis Hamilton at this weekend’s Turkish Grand Prix, but the world champion holds the weight well. Victory at Istanbul Park would ensure that Hamilton becomes the most successful Formula One driver to secure his seventh world championship to equal the record set by Michael Schumacher.
In considering the journey that brought him here, the British driver had reason to reflect on the lessons learned since his first title and why he believes his greatest triumph will not come on the track but in trying to make a difference on a stage wider than that. the one that he himself has walked with such authority for 14 years.
F1 has not competed in Turkey since 2011 and Istanbul Park is a great challenge enthusiastically received in the paddock. It runs from the glorious and likely flat sweep to turn eight, through a series of technically demanding corners that are pleasantly conducive to offering overtaking opportunities, although Friday’s practice proved to be a testing experience for all teams.
Hamilton won here for McLaren in 2010 and if he does it again on Sunday, the seventh title will be his. So dominant is his position, just finishing in front of his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas will seal him too. The Finn must overtake Hamilton by eight points to delay the inevitable. If he takes the win and Hamilton is second, Bottas would still need the fastest lap point to do so.
However, while F1 will likely honor one of the best drivers in the sport in Turkey, Hamilton has shown this season that he possesses depth and character beyond the track. Such has been its acceptance of anti-racism and strident quest to enhance diversity that it has even put its remarkable success in perspective.
“The title doesn’t necessarily impact people’s lives,” he said. “I am so much more proud of doing work outdoors, trying to improve conditions for people around the world. Everyone has the right to equality and quality education and to equal human rights. That’s the most important thing to me. “
This has been, even by the high standards of the world champion, a masterful season. With nine victories in 13 races and in the shape of his life, Hamilton has not allowed a glimpse of another driver. Having won his first championship in 2008, a very close fight with Ferrari’s Felipe Massa that was secured in the final. Last lap corners in the final race of the season in Brazil, he has since broken Schumacher’s records for both pole positions and race wins. Now 35, his skills are finely honed like no other and, as a seasoned activist, he is unfazed by his imminent entry into the history books.
“The goal here is to win the race, I keep that as a focus,” he said. “When I was fighting for my first world championship, the preparation for those races towards the end and the pressure that was there, was not necessary. If I had known then what I know now, I would have easily won that championship in the end, but looking back is a great thing. “
Tunnel vision shapes your mindset here then, but you can expect that, as you’ve done in the past, you’ll enjoy the moment if you deliver on Sunday.
“Over the years I have learned not to add unnecessary pressure,” he said. “Maybe then that’s why sometimes it’s a shock. Suddenly it hits you because you haven’t thought about it so much and it hits you ”.
Hamilton has yet to sign a new contract with Mercedes for next season and had cast some doubts as to whether he would do so in the final round at Imola, but in Turkey, team principal Toto Wolff said he was confident a treatment. to extend your career with the team.
Hamilton seemed to support that position. Nothing is set in stone. It’s just about talking about it. I don’t feel like it’s over, ”he said. “I love racing and challenge and I don’t think that is going to change anytime soon.”
Max Verstappen led Red Bull’s first practice on a very green track that has recently been repaved and offers very little grip with Hamilton in 15th place. In the most representative afternoon session, but with the track still slippery, Verstappen was the fastest versus Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in second with Bottas and Hamilton third and fourth respectively.
The disappointment of the pilots by the surface of the track was evident. The tires were not in their operating window and the lap times were three seconds slower than in 2011. “This track is such a fantastic circuit, and I really don’t quite understand when they spend millions to resurface a track.” Hamilton said. “It’s scary all the way.”
