BOITUMELO RANTAO
LEWIS Hamilton won his record-equalling seventh world championship rising from sixth place on the grid. Hamilton’s historic feat spoke to his driving prowess on a day with horrid conditions that tested Mercedes’ resolve. Along with drawing level with Michael Schumacher at the top of list Formula One’s greatest, Hamilton feat extended his record to 94 career race wins.
“I’m definitely a bit lost for words. A huge thanks to the team. To Team LH for sticking with me for all these years. And to my family,
“This is way beyond our dreams” said the Race winner
Track conditions favoured none of the drivers, yet Hamilton drove a masterful race to claim victory by over 25 seconds from Racing Point’s Sergio Perez. Perez, increasing speculation that he should be signed to a new team for next season, claimed his first podium of the season.
Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel claimed his first podium of the season, after a fiasco final lap, in front of his teammate Charles Leclerc. Vettel, who won Driver of the Day leaping from 11th to third, would take his first podium since Mexico 2019 put on a show overtaking his partner in the final two corners on the last lap.
The four-time champion was caught off guard with his podium place “I had a really good opening lap, [then] a bit of a surprise to snatch the podium in the end!”
Mclaren’s Carlos Sainz held on to finish fifth ahead of Red Bull pair Max Verstappen and Alex Albon. Both Red Bull’s struggles significantly in the tough race conditions. Sainz’s Mclaren teammate Norris finished in eighth.
Racing Point Lance Stroll, who started the race from first on the grid, finished in ninth. Daniel Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo completed the top ten in an incredible day in Istanbul.
