THE official start of the 2020 Formula 1 season is less than a month away.
Though it may look markedly different with a season-opening double header at Austria’s Red Bull Ring there is much to look forward to in the new season.
Cancelled races
Last week it was announced that the Singapore, Japanese and Baku Grands Prix had been officially cancelled and would not feature on the 2020 calendar.
These three races are some of the most highly anticipated and challenging in any F1 season and it is extremely disappointing to lose them from the calendar for this season.
However, in the case of Singapore and Baku the amount of lead time required to set up for the respective grands prix weekends is simply unfeasible in the current conditions.
Nevertheless, F1 has continued to negotiate with various racing venues around the world for possible addition to the 2020 championship. One of these is Portugal’s Portimao circuit.
It is believed that the circuit has been under consideration by F1 for some time now. A spokesperson for the circuit has confirmed that discussions are under way and they are currently in “strong negotiations”.
Bahrain too could host two races on different track configurations. The addition of two races in Bahrain could be slotted in at the end of November.
Ross Brawn, F1’s managing director of motorsports, hasn’t ruled out the possibility of the outer circuit layout for which the layout of all high-speed corners makes it akin to an oval track.
The FIA and F1 have announced a plan to add a bit of spice to the second Silverstone Grand Prix.
Initially a proposal for a reversed grid was put forward and while most other teams were in favour Mercedes vetoed it.
Instead, F1 will now introduce a different combination of tyre compounds for the first and second race weekends at Silverstone. This should stop teams from simply relying on data gathered during the first race and thereby prompt more running for the second race while simultaneously adding some strategic interest.
Grid and podium procedure
Pre- and post-race ceremonies too will look significantly different in order to minimise contact between people.
The podium procedure has been nixed completely and F1 are believed to be considering a sort of on-the-grid type of ‘ceremony’ for the top three finishers.
The pre-race grid procedure will also see a minimal number of people allowed.
The track parade, too will not take place, as no fans will be allowed in the grandstands. Instead, driver interviews will be conducted before the race starts.
Testing
Teams have begun to get back into the swing of things by running ‘test’ programmes on various circuits. Regulations stipulate that teams are allowed to run cars that are two years or older unless they are conducting promotional work.
Mercedes have taken advantage of this by running its 2018 car at Silverstone last week with Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton behind the wheel.
While it is necessary for drivers to get back into the cockpits it was also taken as an opportunity to practice new social distancing procedures in the garage.
The Renault F1 team is scheduled to take their 2018 car around the Red Bull Ring with Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon later this week.
Bottas’s future
Bottas has said that he received a straightforward message from Mercedes that they are not pursuing Sebastian Vettel as a potential driver in 2021. But if there is one thing we know about F1, it is that contracts aren’t as ironclad as they used to be.
Heck, in 2019 Helmut Marko and Christian Horner swore up-and-down that Pierre Gasly would be in the Red Bull for the whole season.
Two weeks later it was announced that Alex Albon had been drafted into the team.
What’s more, even if Merc has ruled out Vettel they didn’t rule out Esteban Ocon or George Russell.
And we’re not seeing Valtteri Bottas waving around a new contract either, are we?
