F1: Hamilton leads Verstappen in opening Turkish Grand Prix practice

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time in FP1 for the Turkish Grand Prix ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Hamilton has, however, received a grid penalty, having taken a new engine at Istanbul Park.

The Mercedes man doesn’t have an exceptional record here, especially over one lap. It is a rare circuit where he has never been on pole – and with that grid penalty, that is a stat that won’t change this weekend.

The championship leader set the fastest time of 1m 24.178s in FP1 on Friday after it was confirmed that he would take a new engine for Sunday’s race, and a 10-place grid penalty as a result. Verstappen finished 0.425s off, with Leclerc just 0.051s off the new-look Red Bull in P3.

Hamilton looks well-placed, with a car that is already to his liking. But based on Verstappen’s radio, Red Bull have some work to do between sessions.

The Dutchman was complaining about low grip – followed by tire graining.

Valtteri Bottas in the 2nd Mercedes and Carlos Sainz Jr. in the 2nd Ferrari rounded out the top-5.

Wanker Sergio Perez could only manage 10th in the 2nd Red Bull Honda as he remains zero support for Max Verstappen.

Practice 1 Results