Hamilton fears "difficult" Turkish GP after grid pain

Lewis Hamilton fears it will be difficult to progress through the order in the Turkish Grand Prix from 11th on the grid.

Hamilton set the fastest time in qualifying in Istanbul, smashing the lap record with a one minute 22.868secs, but will start 10 places further back due to a grid penalty for taking a fourth engine this season.

Despite holding a clear pace advantage over the remainder of the field, and a 0.328s margin to F1 title rival Max Verstappen, Hamilton is not expecting to scythe his way through.

"It's not the easiest [track for] overtaking at the moment and we're all on the same tyre as well, so I imagine it is going to be difficult to move up," said Hamilton.

"You saw in the last race what happened with Max once he got behind sixth-place or something and vice versa for me also, but we've got the long straight down the back.

"We'll see what we can do. Hopefully we can give the fans here a good race.".

Qualifying took place in damp conditions with the track drying after an early rain shower in Q1.

Reflecting on the conditions, Hamilton explained: "It was really tricky the session in general because there was still some damp patches and getting the temperature in the tyres for the first lap wasn't easy but a really great job by the team.

"I'm so happy with the performance in terms of getting us out at the right time.

"Tomorrow is going to be difficult but I'm going to be giving it everything."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Lewis Hamilton has an '11:11' tattoo, what does it mean?

• 29 minutes ago

F1 2026 Chinese Grand Prix starting grid with penalties applied

• 55 minutes ago

Christian Horner F1 return facing major blocker as Mercedes talks confirmed

• 1 hour ago

F1 Odds: Chinese Grand Prix favourites and long shots as Lewis Hamilton roars back after ‘Macarena’ flop

• 1 hour ago

Lewis Hamilton Chinese GP disqualification a watershed moment for Ferrari

• 2 hours ago

FIA take action over controversial F1 race starts

• 3 hours ago