Turkish GP 2021: What Does Canadian GP’s Cancellation Mean for Lewis Hamilton’s F1 Title Chances?
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Formula One F1 – Turkish Grand Prix – Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Turkey – Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after winning the race and the world championship Pool via REUTERS/Clive Mason
The Turkish GP became the talk of the F1 town after the FIA finally added to the 2021 Calendar. It was the culmination of month-round speculation, especially after Canada faced clouds of uncertainty. Those were confirmed a few hours ago as Turkey has now been called to stand in for the Canadian GP. But how will it affect the 2021 F1 Title race? Is defending champion, Lewis Hamilton, at an advantage with this move or it the other way round?
Let’s analyze it by rolling back the events from last season’s Turkish GP.
On the surface, Lewis Hamilton took yet another victory with a Mercedes car. But scratch the surface and you will realize that it was far from easy. It is because Mercedes were uncharacteristically not the team to beat there last season.
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via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Turkish Grand Prix – Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Turkey – Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning the race and the world championship Pool via REUTERS/Clive Mason
The Briton qualified outside the top-4 for the first time last season at the Istanbul track. Red Bull were the team to beat as they displayed their pace throughout the practice sessions. Even though the rain and a few individual errors from Max Verstappen did not allow them to maximize their weekend, they were clearly the strongest team last season.
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So, what’s to say that they won’t dominate this time around, as well. Teams have carried over more than 50% of their chassis from 2020 into 2021. Moreover, Red Bull have only closed the gap on Mercedes since then.
Hence, Max Verstappen is likely to have an advantage over Hamilton when the paddock moves to Turkey. The cancellation of the Canadian GP sounds like bad news for the British driver, as of now. Though, one can never truly know until it happens. Not to forget that he can conjure these special wins from time to time.
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Why are Lewis Hamilton & Co. being made to race in Turkey?
The Canadian GP is, unfortunately, paying the price of the COVID pandemic. Montreal requires the teams to go through a 14-day quarantine, something which is unfeasible.
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“While it is disappointing we cannot be in Canada this season we are excited to confirm that Turkey will host a Grand Prix in 2021 after an amazing race last season,” said the CEO of F1, Stefano Domenicali.
Let’s hope that the beloved Canada race can make a return next year. But until then, let’s mark our calendars on June 13, 2021, when the season moves for its seventh round in Turkey.
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