Monday 11 October 2021
Press comments on the Istanbul GP
“Mercedes team behaves like fearful rabbits”
Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas celebrated his first Formula 1 win of the season at the Turkish Grand Prix. The Finn relegated Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez to second and third in the rain in Istanbul on Sunday. After a penalty transfer, world champion Lewis Hamilton fought his way up from eleventh to fifth in the second Mercedes. In the world championship standings, Verstappen has taken the lead from defending champion Hamilton again. The international press writes:
Great Britain
“Daily Mail”: “Lewis Hamilton lost the championship lead after his Mercedes team behaved like rabbits and called him to a pointless pit stop. (…) The fateful decision with all its possible effects on who wears the crown in the end, came eight laps before the end of a creeping, drizzling Turkish Grand Prix, which Valtteri Bottas won. “
“The Sun”: “Lewis Hamilton scolded his Mercedes team after they screwed up his chance for a place on the podium in Turkey and feared it could cost him the championship. Hamilton couldn’t hide his frustration that Max Verstappen was in the race took the lead again for the title and is now six points ahead of the British. “
“The Guardian”: “The pressure that prevails in the closest Formula 1 World Championship in recent years is undoubtedly noticeable now. Under the thick, gray and overcast sky at the Turkish Grand Prix, the weight of expectation weighed heavily on Lewis Hamilton.”
Italy
“La Gazzetta dello Sport”: “Valtteri Bottas won the crazy Turkish Grand Prix. Mercedes needed a great Bottas to limit the damage from changing the engine on Hamilton’s car. And Valtteri did not disappoint.”
“Corriere dello Sport”: “He had to wait more than a year, but in the end Valtteri Bottas made it into the double-digit range. Tenth career success for him, overtaking Verstappen and helping Mercedes in both the constructors ‘and the drivers’ standings.”
Spain
“Marca”: “It was a Bottas Festival, but Verstappen is the new front runner, with a lead of six points over Hamilton. The Finn has completed the best race for Mercedes so far. (…) Carlos Sainz shone with a big fightback. (.. .) Verstappen’s six point lead over the seven-time world champion is an announcement that the fight for the title will last until the end of the season. “
“As”: “It’s not raining to everyone’s taste. A Mercedes has won, but there is not so loud clapping in the pits when the world champion grumbles over the radio about a dubious strategy.”
France
“L’Équipe”: “A year after spinning six times on the same track, Mercedes driver Bottas couldn’t have asked for a better way to defeat his Turkish demons.”
Austria
“Kronen Zeitung”: “Verstappen flies past” Frust-Lewis “Hamilton”
Switzerland
“View”: “Hamilton angry:” Leave me alone. “Because Valtteri Bottas, the future Alfa-Sauber driver, relegated Max Verstappen to second place at the Turkish GP, Lewis Hamilton is now only six points behind the Dutchman in the World Cup. The Brit is annoyed with the tactics of his Mercedes team. “