How Lewis Hamilton can win his 7th F1 title this weekend – and what Bottas needs to do to stop him

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton can win his record-equalling seventh drivers’ title this weekend at the Turkish Grand Prix. To do so, he needs to leave Istanbul with a greater than 78-point advantage over team mate Valtteri Bottas in the drivers’ standings. We’ve crunched the numbers to bring you all the permutations ahead of this weekend’s action.
Hamilton already heads Bottas – now the only driver who can mathematically stop Hamilton claiming the title – by 85 points, meaning that if Hamilton outscores Bottas this weekend, it’s all over.
FORM GUIDE: Who’s set to score big as the Turkish Grand Prix returns?
However, if Bottas does manage to outscore Hamilton, here are the permutations for Hamilton still claiming a Michael Schumacher-equalling title #7 in Istanbul this weekend.
How Hamilton can win the title
| IF BOTTAS FINISHES | HAMILTON MUST FINISH |
|---|---|
| 1st + fastest lap | Title fight continues to Bahrain |
| 1st | 2nd |
| 2nd + fastest lap | 4th |
| 2nd | 5th + fastest lap OR 4th |
| 3rd + fastest lap | 5th |
| 3rd | 6th |
| 4th + fastest lap | 7th |
| 4th | 8th + fastest lap OR 7th |
| 5th + fastest lap | 8th |
| 5th | 9th + fastest lap OR 8th |
| 6th + fastest lap | 9th |
| 6th | 10th |
| 7th or lower | Hamilton wins title |
Next Up
Related Articles
DRIVING TOMORROW: Ariana Bravo on the future of F1 fan engagement
Wolff admits Mercedes ‘simply don’t know’ what rivals can do
Vowles confident Williams won’t be on ‘back foot’ for 2026
Russell impressed by ‘pretty spectacular’ Aston Martin
Williams show off their new livery for 2026 F1 season
ExplainedAll you need to know about Advanced Sustainable Fuels