The Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix, which we reunited with after many years, was added to the 2021 racing calendar again, proving our despair this year. Since then, all Formula 1 fans in Turkey have been eagerly waiting for this race after the exciting race in 2020. The race day at Intercity Istanbul Park has finally arrived.
The Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix started at 15:00 with the five red lights going out. At the start of the race, we did not see as much chaos as we saw last year. As a result of only Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly’s contact, Alonso spun into the first corner. Both pilots were investigated after this accident. Both were given a 5 second penalty.
First 10 rounds:
Starting the Turkish Grand Prix from the first row, Valtteri Bottas managed to maintain his leadership throughout the first 10 laps and beyond. Starting the race on the wet track from 11th place, Hamilton won 2 places in the first lap and remained 9th behind Tsunoda until the 8th lap. Hamilton managed to pass Tsunoda on lap 8. Then, on the 9th lap, he overtook Stroll and rose to 7th place. In the 11th lap, he passed Norris and moved up to 6th place.
Verstappen, from the duo of Hamilton and Verstappen, who fought fiercely in the championship war, managed to maintain his position throughout the first 10 laps of the race, which he started in the second place. After the first 10 laps, Leclerc was in third place, followed by Perez.
What happened in the next laps of the race:
- 13. There was little contact between Sainz and Vettel on the lap.
- Hamilton beat Gasly on lap 15 to move up to 5th place.
- Starting the race from 19th place, Sainz passed Tsunoda on the 18th lap and rose to 9th place.
- Hamilton, 1:33 in lap 20. He set the fastest lap time of the race with 019.
- The first pitstop was made by McLaren’s Riccardio on Lap 22.
- Tsunoda spins on lap 22, dropping one row to 13th.
- The second pitstop was made by Alonso on lap 32.
- A spectacular battle took place between Hamilton and Perez on the 35th round. Perez was able to defend his position against Hamilton.
- Carlos Sainz lost a lot of time in the pits even though he got into the pitstop on lap 37.
- Although Vettel gambled by switching from Intermediate to Soft tyres, he lost his gamble as soon as he stepped out of the pits. He then pitted again.
- Leclerc told his team on lap 41 that he wanted to finish the race on the same tires with which he started the race.
- Hamilton was called up by his team on lap 42. He replaced his tires with a new set of Intermediates.
- Valtteri Bottas regained the lead he lost to Leclerc on lap 47 when he pitted.
- Leclerc, who wanted to continue the race with the same tire, pitted at the end of the 47th lap.
- Hamilton pitted on lap 51 and fitted a new set of Intermediate tyres.
- Perez beat Leclerc on lap 52 to move up to 3rd place.
Last 5 laps:
The race entered the final 5 laps in the order of Bottas, Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc and Hamilton. The race continued in this order.
Valtteri Bottas was the winner of the race!
Valtteri Bottas managed to crown the race he started in the first place with a victory. Max Verstappen was second and Sergio Perez was third. Verstappen managed to take the lead in the title fight.