For the second time since 2020, the Turkish Grand Prix will see another duel between Mercedes and RedBull.
The starting position is super-optimal for the team with the star, so there could be a change in the overall lead this weekend.
It’s not easy to make a clear betting prediction here due to various factors, but I still expect Hamilton and Verstappen in the top 2 in my Formula 1 prediction
The world championship battle is shaping up to be really exciting this year, unlike last season. Two points currently separate Verstappen and Hamilton. There could be another change in the lead this weekend.
Because Mercedes now also have to take a penalty before the Turkish Grand Prix, where Hamilton became world champion last year.
The team already drove with the new power unit in the free practice sessions. Due to Hamilton’s fourth change of the combustion engine, the Briton received a penalty of ten places
Nevertheless, Hamilton got the maximum out of qualifying and secured first place ahead of Bottas and Verstappen. As a result, he will start Sunday’s race from 11th on the grid
With the change of power unit that Max Verstappen had already undergone in the races before, the Dutchman is now the favourite for the Grand Prix victory at the bookies with odds of around 2.25
But it won’t be that easy for the Dutchman, because Bottas, who will start the race from pole due to Hamilton’s penalty, will do everything he can to hold off the Red Bull driver for as long as possible.
And another factor also plays an important role. Because Charles Leclerc starts from P3 and, after switching to a new engine last week, could put a spanner in the works of the two alpha animals.
It will be exciting again this time – because Turkey is only a substitute for the Japan Grand Prix again this season.
In last year’s rain chaos, the teams were able to collect virtually no data.
On top of that, it’s a track that could offer a lot of spectacle and crashes with its many speed corners. On the other hand, the weather always plays a role here.
Although it is supposed to stay dry on race day, gusts of up to 50 km/h and a lot of headwinds are to be expected
Obviously, the weather will be very bad.
Whether it will be as spectacular a race as last year remains to be seen. One person at least has the best memories of Turkey.
Lewis Hamilton won his seventh world championship title in the rain race in Istanbul in 2020, equalling the record of Formula 1 legend Michael Schuhmacher.
Bookmakers with a German licence are offering attractive odds of around 4.25 for a repeat victory.
Conclusion:I expect another tough duel between Mercedes and RedBull. The past races have shown that no driver will come close to this duo this year.
Therefore, a two-way battle for victory will develop in the end. Of course, Max Verstappen has a clear advantage and is the favourite, yet Lewis Hamilton also undoubtedly has what it takes to finish on the podium from 11th place
His advantage is that Valteri Bottas can still hold off Max Verstappen until Hamilton has worked his way through the field to the front.
However, Mercedes has no chance to play to its strengths in the long runs because of the many corners. Max Verstappen will take the lead relatively quickly and lead the field from the front for a long time.
In the end, nuances and the form of the day will decide whether Hamilton or Verstappen will take the victory. Therefore, my tip is: Verstappen and Hamilton will finish in the top 2.
