By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp
ANKARA (AA) - Lewis Hamilton on Friday set a new track record in the second practice session of Formula One Turkish Grand Prix at the Intercity Istanbul Park.
Mercedes' Hamilton set a time of 1:23.804s, breaking the fastest lap record of 1:24.102s that Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc made a few laps earlier.
Also, in the first practice session on the same day, Hamilton had set a fastest lap record with 1:24.178s, surpassing Colombian driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who set a time of 1:24.770 in 2005.
Montoya left Formula One in 2006 to race in NASCAR.
This season's 16th race will take place over 58 laps of the 5.4-kilometer (3.4 miles) Intercity Istanbul Park on Sunday, Oct. 10.
Hamilton currently holds the top spot in the 2021 Driver Standings with 246.5 points, while Red Bull driver Max Verstappen ranks second with 244.5 points.