Hamilton Vows Maximum Attack from 11th on the Grid in Turkey

Lewis Hamilton. (Reuters)
Lewis Hamilton. (Reuters)
TT
20

Hamilton Vows Maximum Attack from 11th on the Grid in Turkey

Lewis Hamilton. (Reuters)
Lewis Hamilton. (Reuters)

Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton promised "maximum attack" in Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix and would not rule out winning from 11th on the grid.

The Mercedes driver was quickest in qualifying at Istanbul Park but a 10-place penalty for exceeding his season's engine allocation, a strategic move, left the Briton with plenty of overtaking to do in the race.

Hamilton won in Turkey last year, in wet and slippery conditions, after starting sixth.

He also stood out in his pre-F1 days when he roared back from 19th to second in a GP2 race in the dry in 2006.

This time he risks losing his championship lead unless he finishes ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who is two points adrift with seven races to go and lines up on the front row with Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas on pole.

"I was third already at turn one last year so that made a bit of a difference," said Hamilton, now chasing a record eighth title.

"It's a much different weekend, a much different track grip, so we're faced with different circumstances this weekend," he added.

"My eyes are still solely set on winning the race. It's going to be very hard, from 11th, but not impossible ... so just staying on my toes and making sure that we deliver maximum attack tomorrow."

Hamilton has three other Red Bull drivers ahead of him on the grid, with Verstappen's Mexican team mate Sergio Perez on the third row while Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda, from Red Bull's sister team AlphaTauri, are fourth and ninth.

McLaren's Lando Norris, who lines up seventh, said he expected to stay ahead of Hamilton for only a couple of laps.

"I'm not going to say I'm going to beat him because I'm not," said the 21-year-old, who started on pole in Russia and nearly won.

Hamilton said he would just take it one step at a time, and had to get through the opening lap safely first from his midfield position.

"If I can be higher up early on, then great. I've got to stay out of trouble of course, and that will be probably my priority initially, and then see if it's possible to pick them off one by one."



Arsenal Sign Brentford Captain Norgaard to Strengthen Midfield

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brentford v Fulham - GTech Community Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2025 Brentford's Christian Norgaard during a lap of appreciation after the match REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo
Soccer Football - Premier League - Brentford v Fulham - GTech Community Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2025 Brentford's Christian Norgaard during a lap of appreciation after the match REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo
TT
20

Arsenal Sign Brentford Captain Norgaard to Strengthen Midfield

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brentford v Fulham - GTech Community Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2025 Brentford's Christian Norgaard during a lap of appreciation after the match REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo
Soccer Football - Premier League - Brentford v Fulham - GTech Community Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2025 Brentford's Christian Norgaard during a lap of appreciation after the match REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo

Arsenal have signed Christian Norgaard from Brentford, the two Premier League clubs said on Thursday as the North London club continues to strengthen the midfield following close-season departures.

Financial details were not disclosed but British media reports said Arsenal paid an initial fee of 10 million pounds ($13.60 million) to sign the 31-year-old Denmark international on a two-year deal with an option for a third year, Reuters reported.

"He is an international player with a wealth of experience of the Premier League. He has proven leadership skills and a strong character which will be invaluable to our squad," Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said in a statement.

"He is a strong midfielder with excellent tactical awareness and versatility. He also has physical presence and intelligence which will give us added depth and balance. Christian will bring a lot to the group both on and off the pitch."

Norgaard is Arsenal's third recruit in the close season after they signed goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea and defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.

Arsenal have effectively replaced Jorginho and Thomas Partey after the two midfielders' contracts ran out at the end of June.

Norgaard, who spent six years at Brentford and helped them gain promotion to the Premier League in 2021, was also the club's captain in the last two seasons.

An ever-reliable central midfielder in the Brentford squad, Norgaard has made 122 Premier League appearances in four seasons.

He will be a welcome addition to Arsenal as they compete on multiple fronts and said the opportunity to play in the Champions League was too good to resist.

"Now, I get to hear the anthem and be a part of a Champions League campaign. It's a childhood dream and something I didn't think would be possible. So it's something I'm really, really happy about," he said.

The Dane has made more interceptions than any other player since his Premier League debut in 2021.

Arsenal begin their Premier League campaign on August 17 when they travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United.