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.

Lewis Hamilton cross-dresses like a woman in the Istanbul paddock

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.

Charles Leclerc 3rd quick

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

Practice 1 Results

POS NO DRIVER CAR TIME GAP LAPS
1 44 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:24.178 +0.000s 25
2 33 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing Honda 1:24.603 +0.425s 23
3 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:24.654 +0.476s 26
4 77 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 1:24.842 +0.664s 27
5 55 Carlos Sainz Jr. Ferrari 1:24.860 +0.682s 24
6 31 Esteban Ocon Alpine Renault 1:24.909 +0.731s 29
7 4 Lando Norris McLaren Mercedes 1:25.347 +1.169s 25
8 10 Pierre Gasly AlphaTauri Honda 1:25.382 +1.204s 29
9 14 Fernando Alonso Alpine Renault 1:25.383 +1.205s 25
10 11 Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing Honda 1:25.459 +1.281s 23
11 63 George Russell Williams Mercedes 1:25.685 +1.507s 24
12 3 Daniel Ricciardo McLaren Mercedes 1:25.750 +1.572s 25
13 5 Sebastian Vettel Aston Martin Mercedes 1:25.810 +1.632s 25
14 99 Antonio Giovinazzi Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari 1:25.813 +1.635s 23
15 6 Nicholas Latifi Williams Mercedes 1:25.863 +1.685s 27
16 7 Kimi Räikkönen Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari 1:25.933 +1.755s 23
17 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin Mercedes 1:26.361 +2.183s 28
18 22 Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri Honda 1:26.424 +2.246s 27
19 47 Mick Schumacher Haas Ferrari 1:26.636 +2.458s 24
20 9 Nikita Mazepin Haas Ferrari 1:27.019 +2.841s 27