F1 Turkish Grand Prix gets widespread media coverage in Europe

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp and Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Finnish Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas' triumph in Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix was widely covered by Europe and also pleased his team Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1.

Mercedes said in a statement Sunday that Bottas earned "an impressive victory" at Intercity Istanbul Park.

"On a persistently damp track with light rain hovering above, Valtteri completed an impressive victory at the Istanbul Park Circuit, also claiming the bonus point for fastest lap in the closing stages," it said.

"My first win of the year too, which feels great, and I was happy to bring it home," Bottas said.

"It also took points off Red Bull, so great for me and the team," he added.

Mercedes are currently leading the 2021 Constructor Standings with 433.5 points.

Following the Turkish GP, Red Bull had racked up 397.5 points to be in second position.

- Red Bull, Ferrari satisfied with their results

Red Bull Racing Honda were delighted over their "double podium" finish in Istanbul.

Max Verstappen finished the race in second position and his teammate Sergio Perez completed the Turkish GP in third spot.

"There was double delight for the Bulls as Sergio Perez claimed his first podium finish since the French Grand Prix with a battling drive to third place that included an epic fight to keep Lewis Hamilton at bay," Red Bull said on its website.

Another F1 team, Ferrari, was also happy with the results.

"Scuderia Ferrari attacked all race long to bring home 16 points, which is less than it might have been given the potential shown on track," the Italian team said.

"A fourth place for Charles Leclerc and an eighth for Carlos Sainz has not changed the order in either championship, although the team has significantly closed the gap to McLaren in the Constructors’ classification."

- UK media criticizes Hamilton

The BBC slammed Hamilton's pit stop choice during the race in Istanbul, as the British star did not pit when the Mercedes crew called him.

"Scenting the chance of an improbable podium or even a win, Lewis Hamilton over-ruled his Mercedes team a number of times as they pondered the difficult call of whether and when to change tires during the Turkish Grand Prix," it said.

"Lewis Hamilton insists he was not furious with his Mercedes team for a poorly-timed pit stop at the Turkish Grand Prix, which saw him finish fifth...despite the Briton swearing down the radio at them!" the Daily Mail said.

A poorly-timed stop resulted in seven-time Formula One champion Hamilton coming in fifth in the Turkish GP.

Mercedes called him for a tire change on lap 42 so that he would finish the race, but Hamilton refused to enter the pit stop when he was called.

He then entered the pit stop on lap 51 but dropped two spots to fifth.

- Marca: Bottas victor, but Verstappen new leader

Spain's Marca sports newspaper said Bottas was the victor in Istanbul but Verstappen became the new leader in the 2021 Driver Standings.

Verstappen has 262.5 points to top the rankings. He is battling against Hamilton.

The British driver has bagged 256.5 points so far.

"Bottas Festival, but Verstappen [2nd] is the new leader with six points over Hamilton [5th]," the Spanish daily said.

"A spark of very fine rain that never ceased marked the Turkish Grand Prix, maintaining a dull tension during each of the endless 58 laps," it added.

Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper said: "Turkey, Bottas triumphs. Verstappen 2nd returns to the top of the World Championship."

It said the race was run on a wet track in Istanbul as the Finnish driver managed to lead in front of Verstappen on all 58 laps, and the Monegasque (Leclerc) and the Englishman (Hamilton) "attempted a non-stop race" in Turkey.