British F1 driver feels no pressure ahead of Turkish GP

By Mutlu Demirtastan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Lewis Hamilton said Thursday it would be interesting to experience the Istanbul Park with new vehicles, especially in "turn 8."

"You never truly know whether it's going to happen. I'm not focused on the ‘what ifs’ – I'm focused on preparing myself the same as I've done before, to try and deliver the way I have been doing all this season," the Mercedes team's driver said during a news conference at Intercity Istanbul Park.

Hamilton said winning a seventh championship is important but the struggle is not just that, the struggle will always continue, only the numbers change.

"I think it's more the message that it sends, hopefully, to people, not just kids but hopefully mostly kids because they're the future, that you have to dream bigger than you think you can dream – and don't let anyone tell you you can't go for that," the British driver said.

German driver Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari, who won the last race in Turkey in 2011 said winning in Turkey was an important achievement and he is "here again after a long time. It's a fun track. I felt this when I was racing."

Alfa Romeo's Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen said it has been a long time since he claimed first race in Istanbul.

"A place where I had good memories in the past. I was here in 2011. It's great to be here again. If only there were spectators," Raikkonen said.

- Turkish Grand Prix to be held without spectators

The coronavirus pandemic forced Turkey to organize the Grad Prix race without spectators with Istanbul Governorship confirming the move last month.

Round 14 of the season will take place at the Intercity Istanbul Park in Tuzla district, located on the city's Asian side.

The circuit's length is 5.3 kilometers (3.3 miles) and drivers will complete 58 laps.