As Formula One returns to Istanbul, Turkey, for the first time since 2011, we preview a potentially historical 2020 Turkish Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton comes into this round with the first of four championship points in which he can seal the title at the expense of Valtteri Bottas, needing a 78 points lead at minimum to claim a record-equalling seventh title come end of Sunday’s race.
Mercedes have the title wrapped up so the focus in constructor battle switches to third with Renault, McLaren and Racing Point all split by a single point with three races to come after this weekend, so it’s all to play for, whilst Ferrari look to cling onto sixth ahead of AlphaTauri.
Now here is everything that you need to know ahead of the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix, including title permutations and timings.
Track Guide
Circuit: Istanbul Park
Laps: 58
Race Distance: 309.396km
Tyre Compounds: C1, C2 & C3
Schedule
| Date | Session | UK Time (GMT) |
| Friday 13 November | FP1 | 8:00am |
| Friday 13 November | FP2 | 12:00pm |
| Saturday 14 November | FP3 | 9:00am |
| Saturday 14 November | Qualifying | 12:00pm |
| Sunday 15 November | Race | 10:10am |
Three Key Points
- Only Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen, Sergio Perez and Sebastian Vettel have previously raced here in F1 whilst Haas’ Romain Grosjean previously drove at this circuit in 2009 GP2 season so Friday Practice will be a day of learning for many drivers on top of usual race and qualifying simulation programmes.
- Istanbul Park compromises of several high speed corners, with Turns One, Two, Eight and 11 proving notably quick mixed in with hard braking corners of Turns Seven and 12 which will put focus on tyre degradation.
- Rain is forecast on Saturday and Sunday but not expected to fall during Qualifying nor Race but car balance could well be key given the flat-out nature of this circuit and likelihood that kerbs could be wet which increases risk of mistakes if get too wide on those kerbs.
Title Permutations
Hamilton can win the title if he finishes the race with a 78 point lead over Bottas, so here are the various title permutations with Bottas needing to finish at least sixth to have a shot at taking the title fight to Bahrain.
| If Bottas finishes…. | Hamilton needs… |
| 1 + Fastest Lap | Not champion |
| 1st | 2nd |
| 2nd + Fastest Lap | 4th |
| 3rd + Fastest Lap | 5th |
| 3rd | 6th |
| 4th | 7th |
| 5th | 8th |
| 6th + Fastest Lap | 9th |
| 6th | 10th |
If missed any of the 13 previous rounds of the 2020 season, please click on the links below to catch up on the missed action.