General
Title number seven: This is what Hamilton has to do in Turkey
- GPblog.com
Lewis Hamilton is going to be world champion for the seventh time, matching record holder Michael Schumacher. The question is only when the Englishman takes the title. It is already possible next weekend in Turkey. These are the scenarios
Hamilton is only dependent on teammate Valtteri Bottas. The Finn is 85 points behind the reigning world champion while there are still four races to go. So there are 104 points left to go including fastest laps. After the Turkish GP the difference with Bottas should be more than 78 points. Bottas has to stay eight points ahead of Hamilton this weekend. Because of one point for the fastest lap it is a bit of a puzzle.
Scenarios
If Bottas wins in Turkey with the fastest lap of the race, Hamilton can NOT become a world champion, Bottas has it in its own hands. In all other scenarios there is that possibility. If Bottas wins without an extra point and Hamilton wins second, the Brit is already champion.
Hamilton has to stay close to Bottas because if the Finn comes second a place in the best four is enough for Hamilton. If Bottas comes second without the fastest lap of the race, place five will be enough if Hamilton does drive the fastest lap of the race. It is a calculation but we have put it in a clear overview for you in this article.
Hamilton world champion
If Bottas does not manage to finish in the first six, Hamilton will be world champion anyway, even though the British man parks his car in the wall. Hamilton will have to finish the race as long as Bottas is in the top six. Any place he finishes above the Finn will be enough for the title, otherwise he will have to stay close. Given the last few weeks it seems very likely that Hamilton will take the title in Turkey.