Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix qualifying predictions and F1 betting tips

Free F1 tips, best bets and analysis for the Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix.

Where to watch

Practice three
Sky Sports F1, 10am Saturday
Qualifying
Sky Sports F1, 1pm Saturday

Best bet

Charles Leclerc to win the race
1pt each-way 20-1 general

Preview

Lewis Hamilton bossed the first day of practice but the world championship leader will take a ten-place penalty from wherever he qualifies for Sunday’s Turkish Grand Prix after changing his engine.

The Istanbul Park circuit returned to the calendar last year, but the teams were met with a much grippier surface this time around, rendering the data they collected last November useless.

Red Bull seemed particularly caught out, with Max Verstappen constantly complaining about his car’s handling. The championship challenger ended the day fifth, behind even his teammate Sergio Perez, who has habitually started race weekends slowly this season.

That will encourage Hamilton, who fought his way through the field to win in Russia last time after a poor start, and would have expected to lose the championship lead to Verstappen this weekend.

If Hamilton shows the kind of form he did in practice then he should easily go fastest in qualifying, and therefore start the race 11th after his penalty is applied.

However, there are rumours other Mercedes-powered cars will also take grid drops, thus elevating him a few spots.

Given his pace advantage in practice and Verstappen’s struggles, Hamilton will be targeting victory on Sunday, regardless of where he starts.

But McLaren showed at the last two races that the big two aren’t unbeatable, and their setbacks this week could again let someone else in.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc impressed in practice, showing the benefit of the team’s upgraded power unit and rewarding punters who took Racing Post Sport’s advice to back him each-way at 33-1 for the first session by going third.

While Friday form isn’t always reliable, Ferrari have tended to show their true pace in practice this year.

Rather than bet on Saturday's qualifying session - which may be hit by showers and become a tactical affair - back Leclerc each-way for the race at a tasty 20-1.

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