TITLE RUN NO STROLL FOR LEWIS

RAINING HIM IN: Hamilton starts sixth today after torrential rain hit qualifying

FORMULA 1

LEWIS HAMILTON’S dreams of clinching a seventh world title today suffered a setback when he slumped to sixth in qualifying in Turkey.

It was a miserable build-up to today’s crucial clash around the tricky Istanbul Park circuit as Canadian rookie Lance Stroll claimed pole.

And the Mercedes No.1, desperate for a 94th victory, said: “This track is terrifying all the way around. It is a real struggle – a shocker, frightening.

“There is no grip. And the rain has only made it more treacherous.”

A non-stop downpour turned the 3.316-mile circuit into a skidpan and rendered it challenge for even the most daredevil drivers, who faced the perils of its risky 14 flooded corners.

So much so the opening session was cut off and delayed 44 minutes – and conditions hardly improved in the countdown to the final shoot-out.

That was a triumph for virtual unknown Stroll, 21, in the Racing Point car, snatching his first ever pole placing, ahead of Red Bull hot favourite Max Verstappen.

The ace had monopolised free practice and qualifying until the Canadian’s charge with a clinching lap of 1:47.765 compared with the flying Dutchman’s 1:48.056.

Third place was claimed by Spain’s Luis Perez in 1:49.321.

Hamilton was timed at 1:52.560, with team mate Valtteri Bottas a disappointing three places behind him in the final top-10 showdown.

Hamilton looks hard-pressed to claim a 10th win of the season. However, he can still win the title and draw level with legend Michael Schumacher in the world title chase as long as Bottas doesn’t outscore him by eight points or more.

Vertsappen, who is now out of the title race, said: ”I have done my best – but Lewis and Valtteri and Mercedes have been hard to beat.”

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said of the race: “We owe it to both our drivers to provide them with the best machines possible.”