Rate the 2021 Turkish GP

[overboost]

How was Turkey in the drizzle?

[darwin dali]

Just because of the weather alone I give it a 7. Some very nice hard battles (e.g., SP vs. LH).

[myownalias]

A seven seems fair, for a race that was exciting in parts, with lots of dull processional stuff at the front for the majority of the race.

[CYNIC]

At the end of last season an emotional Toto Wolf almost cried when he realised that the German legend Schumacher's record was likely to be beaten ,and Mercedes were going to make it possible. He stalled on Hamilton's contract, but couldn't be sure he wouldn't go to Ferrari, and win. He realised that, as in 2016, when Mercedes wanted a German World Champion, engine problems resulted in grid penalties , and of the eight cars on the grid using Mercedes engines, only Hamilton's suffered, and persistently, and Toto got his German World champion. However, this time he needed a credible rival and he opted for Red Bull and Max Verstappen , whose engineering team was suddenly swamped with ex Mercedes personnel who didn't see themselves as betrayers ,but defenders of Schumacher,the German legend In Turkey, we had the 'precautionary' mod that resulted in a grid penalty, and Ocon told Hamilton he'd gone the whole race without refuelling, confirming his belief that fuel stop HAD been unnecessary. Toto Wolf has finally showed his full hand, he has got Hamilton under contract for the next two years by when he'll be nearly 40, he's made his protégé Bottas part of the opposition and allotted Hamilton novice George Russell as back up. I'd be happy to be proved wrong ,but Hamilton hasn't got a hope in hell.

[darwin dali]

What are you babbling about fuel stops? And all the conspiracy to boot!

[overboost]

But Russel is faster than Hamilton.

[overboost]

A 5 for me. A lot of boring tire saving made this race a bit of a snoozer. The Hamilton calling his own strategy drama is the highlight and of course Perez's great defense of Hamilton's pass attempt.