***The Official 2021 Formula 1 season thread***

[bluefete]

HAMILTON WINS THE WORLD TITLE: Lewis Hamilton makes history after equalling Michael Schumacher's record and become a seven-time world champion as he battled the elements to win the Turkish Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton is King of the Track for a record-equalling seventh time. Victory on the day, victory over the season, victory for the ages.

The British driver sealed the world championship by winning the Turkish Grand Prix – holding his nerve, nursing his tyres for 50 laps, on the slippery track at Istanbul Park to write a celebrated concluding chapter to the annexation of his sport in 2020.

The win by a monster 31 seconds, the 94th of his career, put him level with Michael Schumacher, who lies stricken at home after his terrible skiing accident seven years ago. When the great German took his own title No 7 in Belgium 16 years ago, in a race he finished second, it seemed probable the record would stand for an eternity.


Lewis Hamilton makes history by becoming a seven-time world champion after winning the Turkish Grand Prix


Hamilton struggles to hold back the tears after equalling Michael Schumacher's record of seven world titles

But over the course of the intervening season, Hamilton, by dint of his own skill and unrelenting focus, has turned the impossible target into a staging post. On next to his eighth wonder of the world.

He started the race only sixth on the grid but gradually gnawed his way into the frame as the afternoon wore on.

Hamilton took the lead with patience, sure-footedness and style on lap 37, planting his black car on the rear of Sergio Perez’s Racing Point. The champion steered right and, withstanding the rivulet of water he now occupied, zipped past the pink machine for the lead between Turns 11 and 12, and an imperishable moment in the storied history of British sport.

As so often, the best drivers prove themselves in the wet, and this was a case in point. Time and again, stretching back to the first exhibition of his amphibious qualities in the foothills of Mount Fuji 13 years ago, Hamilton has proved his specialness in the toughest of conditions.

Here Hamilton and Mercedes kept their heads while all about them lost theirs. The Racing Points, for long and so fabulously in the lead, audibly fretted over the radio, such was their unfamiliarity with the rarefied air of race leadership. They ran out of steam and of options, and Hamilton was gunning for them, and as we have said, past one of them.

Now for the man who goes under the misnomer of Hamilton’s team-mate, Valtteri Bottas. He should be renamed his victim.

The Finn simply cannot live with the Stevenage-born peddler at close to the zenith of his capabilities.

The chasm in class was exhibited time and again here. If Bottas can count himself unlucky to have spun on the opening lap trying to avoid the two Renaults, he cannot excuse the many slips that followed. He finished 14th.

And to think he started the day as the only contender who could possibly – that is to say mathematically – prevent Hamilton winning the title with three races to spare. But, hey, he ended up lapped by the prey that twice drove out of his sight.

And all this against the backdrop of a dismal two previous days. Hamilton had moaned like mad about the track – how slippery it was in the wet or dry having only been resuraced in the last fortnight.

On Friday, he called it terrifying. What was he talking about? Of course, it was perilous, full of perdition at every turn, but suddenly putty in his gloved hands.

My mind turned back to the first of his great glories on that rain-splattered afternoon in Sao Paulo when rain fell and he passed Timo Glock for the first of his world titles. He was then but a boy, a 23-year-old with the world at his right foot.

There was an element of luck that time. Yesterday, there was no fortune. Nor complication of machinery – ask Bottas to verify that!

Hamilton somehow – and this is beyond explanation of the greatest boffin who ever studied physics, engineering or cosmology – rationed his intermediate tyres better than the rest, beyond compare. Perez finished second, with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel third.

Someone in the press box asked me what lap Racing Point’s Lance Stroll pitted. It reminded me of the old story of the young journalist in the Old Trafford press box who, when George Best despatched a scorcher, asked a colleague what minute he had scored. The older hand told him: ‘Don’t worry about the minute, remember the date.’

The race had started, albeit no longer raining, on a track that in the shy sun gleamed like a silver operating table.

But the surgical precision was the sole preserve of Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton, who outshone the young pretender Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who was impetuous and brilliant in turns. Hamilton was just brilliant – well, as well as prudent.

And it ended here with tears on the radio, an exclamation that told of a lifetime’s endeavour.

We have worn out the superlatives this season until the thesaurus conceded defeat. All hail Hamilton, god of the grid.


Re-live Lewis Hamilton's historic win by scrolling below to see Sportsmail's lap-by-lap coverage of the Turkish Grand Prix

Sam McEvoy
Host commentator


11:59
An emotional Lewis takes in the moment
A tearful Hamilton can't hold back his emotions as he makes history once again.

'That's for all the kids out there who dream about the impossible,' he said.

Brilliant stuff, Lewis.


11:56
LEWIS HAMILTON WINS THE TURKISH GRAND PRIX AND BECOMES A SEVEN-TIME WORLD CHAMPION
Lewis Hamilton has equalled Michael Schumacher's total of seven world championships after a stellar drive in Turkey.

A fabulous drive from the Brit to make history once again.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formu ... -Park.html

[bluefete]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/extra/c1nx5 ... lton-story

[teems1]

He's in the running for the GOAT.

Surpassing Senna, Schumi, Stewart and even Fangio.

[grandprixtt]

Even the rain decided it was Lewis day.

What a drive. Consistent, calm, decisive.
Mercedes were never gonna safety pit him on lap 56, that was to throw off either of the Ferraris.

[supremacy_007]

Skill, machine, strategy.... have to give him and the team credit, earning this win from the back, the best of his era, well done Lewis.

[worksux101]

Hard to say GOAT when his car has been so dominant. From the recent multiple champs, FA, Seb and MS had to fight off serious contenders. Lewis arguably didnt, and when faced with stiff competition (Nico), got beat. When Ferrari had an equal car, Seb was ahead until the 'updates' mid 2018.
Its a real shame for the sport that Merc never swapped Bottas...made complete sense for them mind you, but ultimately Lewis is so far ahead of him that there was never any doubt. His consistency and tyre management skills have made him a worthy winner.

All that said...think about this...2 7-time champions...both were beaten by Rosberg lol (yes i know the scenarios particularly with MS, just a fun fact)

[teems1]

Hard to say GOAT when his car has been so dominant. From the recent multiple champs, FA, Seb and MS had to fight off serious contenders. Lewis arguably didnt, and when faced with stiff competition (Nico), got beat. When Ferrari had an equal car, Seb was ahead until the 'updates' mid 2018.
Its a real shame for the sport that Merc never swapped Bottas...made complete sense for them mind you, but ultimately Lewis is so far ahead of him that there was never any doubt. His consistency and tyre management skills have made him a worthy winner.

All that said...think about this...2 7-time champions...both were beaten by Rosberg lol (yes i know the scenarios particularly with MS, just a fun fact)

Nico had to entirely change his diet and exercise regimen, hire sports therapists and shrinks, ignore his family life for the entire season.

For him to beat Lewis, he had to give 110% and hope Lewis had a bad day.

Nico himself said he did not want to do that again as it was too much and retired.

[pete]

Only shame for the sport is that the other teams haven't been able to produce a car to challenge Mercedes for the entire turbo-hybrid era.

If that had happened Mercedes may have gone for another strong driver but if they're so dominant a strong #1 and solid support driver are all they need and don't have to worry about as much fighting within the team.

[Monk BANzai]

Hard to say GOAT when his car has been so dominant. From the recent multiple champs, FA, Seb and MS had to fight off serious contenders. Lewis arguably didnt, and when faced with stiff competition (Nico), got beat. When Ferrari had an equal car, Seb was ahead until the 'updates' mid 2018.
Its a real shame for the sport that Merc never swapped Bottas...made complete sense for them mind you, but ultimately Lewis is so far ahead of him that there was never any doubt. His consistency and tyre management skills have made him a worthy winner.

All that said...think about this...2 7-time champions...both were beaten by Rosberg lol (yes i know the scenarios particularly with MS, just a fun fact)

so using that same set of measures..who would you consider the GOAT?

[antlind]

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.espn.co ... atform=amp

[Monk BANzai]

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/30330501/how-do-hamilton-schumacher-compare%3fplatform=amp

Alexis Nunes tho!!

[worksux101]

Hard to say GOAT when his car has been so dominant. From the recent multiple champs, FA, Seb and MS had to fight off serious contenders. Lewis arguably didnt, and when faced with stiff competition (Nico), got beat. When Ferrari had an equal car, Seb was ahead until the 'updates' mid 2018.
Its a real shame for the sport that Merc never swapped Bottas...made complete sense for them mind you, but ultimately Lewis is so far ahead of him that there was never any doubt. His consistency and tyre management skills have made him a worthy winner.

All that said...think about this...2 7-time champions...both were beaten by Rosberg lol (yes i know the scenarios particularly with MS, just a fun fact)

so using that same set of measures..who would you consider the GOAT?

Its subjective and always will be...who i think is the greatest of all time will be reflective of the traits I prefer...other persons would differ.
Just like the ronaldo/Maradona/messi/pele debate.

That said, Senna closely followed by MS.

I know many would disagree, but Seb in an equal car to Ham i think will be a draw

[pete]

https://drivetribe.com/p/there-is-no-go ... 4TcoCEsUrg

Basically, no Greatest of all time, just greatest of their time.

[bluefete]

Bahrain race: This happened. Minor injury to Grosjean

F1 LIVE: Horror crash on the opening lap as Romain Grosjean crashes into the barrier before a HUGE explosion of flames before the race is stopped... follow the latest here

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formu ... -East.html

https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/formula1/53912768

[kamakazi]

I'm now watching it...

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Romain Grosjean Formula 1 Crash | FIRE, Car Cut In HALF *FULL LENGTH VERSION*

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

[teems1]

Medical car saved him.

The fire marshall was on the scene quickly, but not as effective when the medical car guys came in with the extinguishers.

[Monk BANzai]

[teems1]

Medical car saved him.

The fire marshall was on the scene quickly, but not as effective when the medical car guys came in with the extinguishers.

After all the replays and such, it appears he got out the fire by himself.

Big shout out to the fire marshall who ran 80 meters with a 12kg extinguisher to act as fast as he did. The one behind the barrier didn't appear to be as effective but did what he could.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

How Grosjean survived fireball Bahrain F1 crash

[Dizzy28]

On a day that Arsenal, United, Chelsea and Tottenham played I didn't really follow the race but this has been on a lot of newsfeeds since and I have seen that crash so much times now.
Insane really the level of technology and safety that allowed Grosjean to walk out of this.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Lewis Hamilton tests positive for Covid-19

[teems1]

Hulkenberg must be drooling at the prospect of driving a WDC car.

Good thing Lewis won it already, because if someone else pipped him by a few points it would have been tainted.

[pete]

Unlikely that Hulkenberg would get a drive in the Merc. Speculation that Toto may push for Russel to get a drive to do a test. Stoffel Vandoorne was going to Bahrain this week after a Formula E test as well and Gutierrez is their other reserve driver.

Only problem with Russel is that the high speed outer circuit may be the best chance for Williams to score points and if they can get more than Haas would mean a big increase in prize money. I don't see them getting into the top 10 though.

[teems1]

Gutierrez has super license issues so he probably is not a contender.

Also it looks like UAE has a strict 14 day no entry policy for persons testing positive. Lewis won't be ready in time for Abu Dhabi GP.

If I'm Toto, I'd offer Rosberg and Mick a GP each just to be evil.

[pete]

Confirmed that Russel will be taking the seat for the weekend with Jack Aitken filling in for him at Williams.

This on a weekend I probably will be away from internet coverage

[teems1]

They will be using the "oval" layout for the 2nd Bahrain GP.

This race could either be a procession or chaos. I'm hoping for chaos as there are 3 great overtaking spots. Turns 1, 4 and 10.

[pete]

Williams put out a video on twitter yesterday of the track layout. It is incredibly short. https://twitter.com/WilliamsRacing/stat ... 0184886277

I don't know how many DRS zones there will be but I think if it's more than the 2 (main straight and the straight after turn 3) overtaking will be way too easy. Also the only hard braking zone is into turn 1 and not much time for harvesting for ERS. Will definitely be interesting to see 20 cars try to fit in a 55 second lap and how the pit stop strategy goes.

[supremacy_007]

Confirmed that Russel will be taking the seat for the weekend with Jack Aitken filling in for him at Williams.

This on a weekend I probably will be away from internet coverage

Tuff luck there bud, already clearing my schedule, i'm watching practice everything, really hoping George comes out of the gates flying!

Ocon butt hurt proably on level 10, lol.