Lewis Hamilton seeks to complete a record-equalling seventh Formula One world title on Sunday in Turkey to give his Mercedes team back-to-back celebrations.

The German marque clinched a record seventh straight constructors’ title at the last race on November 1 in Imola, Italy, one more than Ferrari achieved between 1999 and 2004.

The last five of those Ferrari titles were largely due to Michael Schumacher winning the drivers’ title in the same year to complete what at the time seemed an unbeatable seven career trophies.

But now Hamilton and Mercedes are re-writing the F1 history books and Hamilton insisted in Imola that “What we have done is no coincidence.

“Valtteri (Bottas) and I are just a part of this incredible chain of people who are collectively working and all rowing in the same direction.”

The Istanbul Park Circuit was added to the calendar for a first race since 2011 as it had to be redrafted due to the coronavirus pandemic. The last driver to celebrate a victory there was Sebastian Vettel, back then with Red Bull.

Hamilton is on a dominant run of three victories and leads Bottas by 85 points. After the Turkish Grand Prix only a maximum 78 points will be available across the remaining three races, two in Bahrain and the closer in Abu Dhabi.

That means Bottas needs to outscore Hamilton by at least eight points on Sunday if he wishes to keep the title race alive.

Therefore the Briton can still afford to finish second behind the Finn, as long as Bottas doesn’t have the fastest race lap, and still have a very good reason to celebrate.

If the maths to the championship seem easy, that is not the case when it comes to Hamilton’s future in Formula One where he has also surpassed Schumacher on race wins this season with now 93, and his 97 pole positions long being an F1 record.

He has talked positively about continuing the partnership with Mercedes, but still haven’t agreed on a new deal after his contract expires at the end of 2020.

Parallel to Hamilton’s dominance is the fight for third place in the constructors’ standings which will likely continue until the end.

While Red Bull are expected to hold on to second place, Renault, McLaren and Racing Point battle to see who will complete the top 3.

Thanks to two recent podiums by Australian Daniel Ricciardo, Renault are currently third but only one point ahead of the other two.