Verstappen tops both slippery practice sessions
Hamilton can win record-equalling seventh world title this weekend
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That's all for Friday's action and we will be back for the third session at 08:30 GMT on Saturday before the on-track stuff starts at 09:00 GMT.
Then it's qualifying at 12:00 GMT as Mercedes aim to maintain their perfect 2020 record of starting each race in pole position.
Can they do it? Join us tomorrow to find out.
As always, thanks for your company and comments. Have a nice Friday and see you tomorrow.
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Sport’s chief F1 writer
Image source, EPARed Bull's Max Verstappen led Ferrari's Charles Leclerc as Mercedes struggled in
Lewis Hamilton, who can clinch a record-equalling seventh title on Sunday, was fourth fastest, 0.85 seconds off the pace. His team-mate Valtteri Bottas was third, 0.575secs behind Verstappen.
Mercedes were struggling for grip even more than everyone else on a slippery Istanbul Park track surface.
The circuit, which last hosted a Grand Prix in 2011, was resurfaced just two weeks ago, and bitumen leaking out of the track surface gave the circuit a sheen as cars ran on it on Friday.
This meant lap times were hugely slower than predicted - and even 13 seconds off those set in qualifying in 2011, since when Formula 1 cars have become several seconds a lap faster.
All the drivers were complaining of a lack of grip as a result, and there were a number of spins.
Despite Mercedes' struggles in terms of headline lap times, there was strong evidence that they will remain the team to beat as they were comfortably quickest on the race-simulation runs late in the session.
Image source, F1This is how it finished...
Two sessions today and Max Verstappen has been the quickest in both of them.
Charles Leclerc was second, then Valtteri Bottas, Lewis Hamilton, Alexander Albon, Daniil Kvyat, Pierre Gasly, Sebastian Vettel, Lance Stroll and Lando Norris.
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If Lewis Hamilton doesn't wrap up the title this weekend, he will still have three more chances as we have next weekend off then three races in three weeks - two in Bahrain and one in Abu Dhabi - to end a remarkable 2020 season.
Image source, F1Only three drivers - Lewis Hamilton (13 races), Sergio Perez (11) and Nico Hulkenberg (2) - have claimed points finishes in all of the races they have started this season.
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Hamilton also posted some lovely messages recently on social media with tributes to his parents.
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Earlier this week, Lewis Hamilton posted this great picture of him aged six collecting some early trophies. There have been many, many more since.
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They're still spinning out there. Daniil Kvyat at Turn 14, but it's a harmless one and he's OK to carry on.
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Sport’s chief F1 writer
Image source, Getty ImagesLewis Hamilton says he is "much prouder" of the work he has done to promote equality this year than the prospect of winning a seventh title.
The Briton will win the championship at Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix if team-mate Valtteri Bottas does not outscore him by more than seven points.
Hamilton said: "The drivers' title doesn't necessarily impact people's lives. Trying to improve conditions for people around the world - equal human rights - that's the most important thing to me."
Hamilton will clinch the championship if he wins on Sunday. If he finishes second or lower, he just needs to finish ahead of Bottas. If the Finn wins, Hamilton can still clinch the championship with second place as long as Bottas does not set the fastest lap, which earns a point.
A seventh title would put the Mercedes driver equal with all-time record holder Michael Schumacher, whose record of career victories Hamilton has already surpassed.
"Matching an icon like Michael; I'd be incredibly proud of that," Hamilton said.
"But it's more the message it sends to not just kids, but mostly kids, 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."
Jennie Gow
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 5 live pit-lane reporter
I think it's a really positive sign for W Series and Formula 1. It will help with diversity and trying to tackle those issues and help bring in a new generation of girls. It gives them the visibility they have not had before.
Image source, Getty ImagesJamie Chadwick, who is a development driver at Williams, won the first W Series in 2019
The W Series will link up from Formula 1 next season with eight support races at grand prix weekends in 2021. The female-only series began in 2019 but the 2020 season was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The last two races of the season had been scheduled to feature on the F1 support-race bill at the United States and Mexican grands prix.
F1 this week published a 2021 calendar with a record 23 races, with those to feature the W Series to be confirmed.
"When we promised W Series would be bigger and better in the future, partnering with Formula 1 was always our ultimate objective," said founder and chief executive Catherine Bond Muir.
"There is no doubt that, now W Series will be run alongside and in collaboration with Formula 1, our global reach, impact and influence will be increased significantly."
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Sport’s chief F1 writer
Image source, Getty ImagesFormula 1 plans to introduce engines powered by sustainable fuels by 2026 as part of a wider environmental plan over the coming years.
A working group including specialists from car manufacturers and energy suppliers is to investigate how best to combine hybrid engines with carbon-neutral fuels.
The sport wants a net-zero carbon footprint by 2030 and a statement said F1 had "the potential to lead the way in technologies that reduce automotive carbon emissions globally".
A statement detailing F1's work on sustainability added: "At the top of our priorities for both sustainability and our sport is building a roadmap for the internal combustion engine that addresses the environmental goals of our automotive partners and society.
"Although the cars account for a very small percentage of our carbon footprint as a sport (0.7%), it is important the most visual part of our sport is sustainable and can have real-world benefits.
"We also believe there is not a single solution to the engine technologies of the future but a sustainably fuel hybrid engine will be a significant moment for the sport and the automotive sector."
With the long runs going on, there may not be many changes in the times now so let's have a look at some of the other things going on in the Formula 1 world.
George Russell, in 16th and ahead of Ocon, Grosjean, Magnussen and Latifi, sticks on the mediums for a long run and instantly spins it at Turn 1.
His team-mate Latifi then spins at Turn 7.
With the drivers getting ready for their long runs, this is how it stands after an hour.
Which races would you like to see on your dream F1 calendar and why?
Neil Lee: Would love to see F1 at Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit it would be amazing.
Hornet Shane: Bring back Sepang, India and Mugello and get rid of Monaco, Russia and France.
Lewis Hamilton, unhappy with his tyres, has got himself into the top three, but he's 0.944 seconds slower than new leader Max Verstappen. Charles Leclerc second, Alexander Albon fourth, Valtteri Bottas fifth.
Mercedes have had a clean sweep of pole positions this season, they may have some work to do tomorrow. Maybe.
The circuit is still getting quicker and Max Verstappen leapfrogs his team-mate to take charge with a 1:28.984, but then Charles Leclerc beats that effort with a 1:28.731.
We're getting faster and faster.