The 2020 Formula 1 season is turning heads in the opening stages with some outlandish drama already occurring after just four races of the new campaign.
No greater drama could be found than in the final laps of the British Grand Prix as the front left tyre of at least three frontrunners punctured, including that of Mercedes duo Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton.
Bottas screeched out of contention for the podium, but Hamilton clung on for the final few turns with Red Bull hotshot Max Verstappen rapidly closing in.
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It was the first of two races at Silverstone with the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix coming up this weekend.
Hamilton looks untouchable at the top, but the storm brewing below him has sucked in Ferrari, with Red Bull, Renault and McLaren all jostling for a shot at dislodging the iconic Italian side.
Verstappen has fully embraced the role of top contender now that seasoned veteran Sebastian Vettel has completely fallen off the pace with Ferrari in a mess.
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McLaren have enjoyed great success so far with Lando Norris enjoying a rip-roaring second season as he continues to battle it out in the upper-midfield ranks.
Rigorous testing procedures are in place to ensure all teams and crew members remain safe and secure, while allowing them to carry out their duties throughout the course of race weekends.
However, barring the empty grandstands, the action has been every bit as swashbuckling as you could hope for in the opening races with more to come.
Check out everything you need to know about the F1 restart including full race calendar and TV details below.
F1 latest news
Nico Hulkenberg will get a second shot at racing in the hot-seat this weekend after his big chance to shine was cruelly denied at Silverstone.
The former Renault man stepped up after Racing Point driver Sergio Perez tested positive for COVID-19 but despite a strong qualifying display, technical issues meant he couldn’t start the race on Sunday.
However, due to Perez remaining in isolation, Hulkenberg will race in the 70th Anniversay Grand Prix, also at Silverstone.
It wasn’t an all-bad day for Hulkenberg though after catching the eye of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff: “What he delivered on Friday was really solid. And also on Saturday within expectations.
“I think he sold it very well. If you have not been in the car for nine months, it is a very solid performance.
“I’m sorry he didn’t drive. He is a good candidate anyway. A German driver can always be an interesting idea. Also as a reserve driver. But I think we should just look at the situation around the world. What do we want to achieve next year with our driver line-up?”
Hulkenberg has 177 starts to his name but is yet to record a podium. He will be determined to make his mark in the coming days in a bid to secure a more permanent return to the sport.
F1 2020 calendar
Round 5 – 70th Anniversary Grand Prix
Date: 7th – 9th August
Track: Silverstone
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Round 6 – Spanish Grand Prix
Date: 14th – 16th August
Track: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Watch on Sky Sports F1 / NOW TV
Round 7 – Belgian Grand Prix
Date: 28th – 30th August
Track: Spa
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Round 8 – Italian Grand Prix
Date: 4th – 6th September
Track: Monza
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Round 9 – Tuscan Grand Prix
Date: 11th – 13th September
Track: Mugello
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Round 10 – Russian Grand Prix
Date: 25th – 27th September
Track: Sochi
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Round 11 – German Grand Prix
Date: 9th – 11th October
Track: Nurburgring
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Round 12 – Portuguese Grand Prix
Date: 23rd – 25th October
Track: Portimao
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F1 results
Round 1 – Austrian Grand Prix
Date: 3rd – 5th July
Track: Red Bull Ring
- VALTTERI BOTTAS (MERCEDES)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
Round 2 – Styrian Grand Prix
Date: 10th – 12th July
Track: Red Bull Ring
- LEWIS HAMILTON (MERCEDES)
- Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Round 3 – Hungarian Grand Prix
Date: 17th – 19th July
Track: Hungaroring
- LEWIS HAMILTON (MERCEDES)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
Round 4 – British Grand Prix
Date: 31st July – 2nd August
Track: Silverstone
- LEWIS HAMILTON (MERCEDES)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
What about the rest of the F1 2020 calendar?
Like all sports, the F1 2020 calendar took a lockdown-related battering, with numerous races cancelled and almost all remaining Grands Prix rescheduled.
The confirmed races are all based in – or close to – Europe, making the complex logistics easier to navigate than the final stretch of the calendar – a world tour ranging from Singapore to Brazil, from Russia to Mexico.
It has been a relatively smooth ride, albeit complex, for Formula 1, meaning the case may build for more races further afield, by which point the progress of the virus may have hopefully slowed.
Formula 1 on TV
You can watch every practice, qualifying and race session live on Sky Sports F1.
Sky customers can add individual channels for just £18 per month or add the complete sports package to their deal for just £23 per month.
One race – the British Grand Prix on 2nd August – will be shown live on Channel 4.
Formula 1 live stream online
You can watch F1 races with a Sky Sports day pass for £9.99 or a month pass for £33.99, all without signing up to a contract.
NOW TV can be streamed through a computer or apps found on most smart TVs, phones and consoles. NOW TV is also available via BT Sport.
Existing Sky Sports customers can live stream the Grands Prix via the Sky Go app on a variety of devices.
Which F1 races have been cancelled?
The list of cancelled F1 races in 2020 are as follows:
- Australian Grand Prix – 15th March
- Bahrain Grand Prix – 22nd March
- Vietnam Grand Prix – 5th April
- Chinese Grand Prix – 19th April
- Dutch Grand Prix – 3rd May
- Spanish Grand Prix – 10th May
- Monaco Grand Prix – 24th May
- Azerbaijan Grand Prix – 7th June
- Canadian Grand Prix – 14th June
- French Grand Prix – 28th June
- Singapore Grand Prix – 20th September
- Japanese Grand Prix – 11th October
A total 0f 12 cancelled races would have cut the calendar down to just 10 Grands Prix. However, with F1 bosses adding back-t0-back weekends in Britain and Austria, the total should be higher than that.
Which F1 drivers will be racing?
Mercedes
- Lewis Hamilton – #44
- Valtteri Bottas – #77
Ferrari
- Sebastian Vettel – #5
- Charles Leclerc – #16
Red Bull
- Alex Albon – #23
- Max Verstappen – #33
McLaren
- Lando Norris – #4
- Carlos Sainz – #55
Renault
- Daniel Ricciardo – #3
- Esteban Ocon – #31
Alphatauri
- Pierre Gasly – #10
- Daniil Kvyat – #26
Racing Point
- Sergio Perez – #11
- Lance Stroll – #18
Alfa Romeo
- Kimi Raikkonen – #7
- Antonio Giovinazzi – #99
Haas
- Romain Grosjean – #8
- Kevin Magnussen – #20
Williams
- George Russell – #63
- Nicholas Latifi – #6
When will the Formula 1 season end?
As mentioned, teams will hope the season will end around the same time as originally expected in November.
If logistics can’t be worked out given the coronavirus situation in the months to come, more races face the potential of cancellation, though it’s more likely they will be relocated to ensure as many races as possible can go ahead.
In theory, the season could extend further than anticipated, but organisers will be determined to impact next season as little as possible.
What will happen with F1 2021? News and rumours
We’ll keep you posted throughout the season with the latest news and rumours about the 2021 season. For now, the season is expected to start as usual in February with 18 races on the billing and several more to be announced.
As for drivers, Sebastian Vettel will leave Ferrari to be replaced by Carlos Sainz Jr. That opened the door for Daniel Ricciardo to switch from Renault to McLaren ahead of 2021.
There are likely to be plenty more twists and turns before next season comes around, but for now, we can soak up the 2020 season in all its modified glory!
If you’re looking for something else to watch before and after the drama on the track, check out our TV guide.
from Radio Times https://ift.tt/3kfedaN
