This year, Red Bull is chasing Mercedes in the constructors’ championship while Max Verstappen is just two points behind Lewis Hamilton in the drivers’ standings.
Mercedes won in Russia but the Sochi Autodrom circuit played to the strengths of its low-rake car while the engine and grid penalty combination for Verstappen all but ended his hopes of victory. His subsequent recovery to second though puts Mercedes in a tough situation.
Team principal Toto Wolff insists that the team will go aggressive from now until the end of the season in order to retain the titles and an engine penalty this weekend for Hamilton isn’t out of the question.
Question marks over its reliability though will be at the back of the reigning champion’s mind though following Valtteri Bottas’s extra power unit penalty in Russia despite having taken a fresh engine in Italy for the previous race.
Cooler conditions will suit Red Bull but Hamilton has won twice in previous Turkish GPs, one behind record holder Felipe Massa’s three victories.
2021 Turkish Grand Prix session times
(All times BST)
Friday
Free Practice 1: 09:30 – 10:30
Free Practice 2: 13:00 – 14:00
Saturday
Free Practice 3: 10:00 – 11:00
Qualifying: 13:00 – 14:00
Sunday
Race: 13:00 – 15:00