Five talking points ahead of the 2020 Formula 1 season
Five talking points ahead of the 2020 Formula 1 season
Formula 1 begins the 2020 season with the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5, 128 days since the close of pre-season testing.
With such a large break separating testing and the start of the season, some of the expected plotlines have changed, such as the prospect of Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari following the Scuderia's decision to replace Sebastian Vettel with Carlos Sainz.
To bring you up to speed, here are five of the main talking points ahead of the start of the 2020 F1 campaign.
Mercedes' Dual Axis Steering - DAS
Starting with the big one - DAS. This system caused mayhem when it was first used during winter testing, with speculation on how it worked, whether it was legal (we'll come back to that!) and what the potential benefits of running the system could be.Unfortunately for Mercedes, the device is set to be nothing more than a one-season wonder, as the FIA has already declared the system to breach the 2021 regulations - a change that had been made before the team publicly revealed the gizmo.
Racing Point's 'Pink Mercedes'
Before Mercedes unveiled DAS, Racing Point thought it had already secured its position as the main talking point of testing.Launching the new livery on its 2019 car several days earlier, Racing Point stunned the paddock when rolling out of the garage in Spain was, what appeared to many, to be the 2019 Mercedes in a fresh, pink coat of paint.
The RP20 was quick from the get-go, with both Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll able to extract strong pace from the vastly different 2019 car.
Protests
Points one and two both lead here. Protests.Ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, it was believed a number of teams would protest both Mercedes for DAS, and Racing Point for what many saw to be, copying Mercedes' homework.
Only providing the media with limited access across the lockdown, it is unclear whether attitudes have changed over time, but as the cars roll out of the garages on Friday morning, it's possible that a few trips will be made to the steward's office.
Taking the knee
Led by Lewis Hamilton, F1 has firmed its stance against racism and discrimination. The #WeRaceAsOne initiative has been launched by F1, with Hamilton forming the 'Hamilton Commission' to instigate change.As other sports, most notably European football, have returned to competition, it has been common to see players, personnel and officials show unity by all taking the knee.
A similar from F1 would certainly send out a powerful message.
Race rustiness
Several drivers have warned this could be a factor. Crashes are not an uncommon sight at the Red Bull Ring, with several heavy-braking zones affording an opportunity for bold overtaking manoeuvres, but also for big mistakes.In years gone by, with drivers typically having 10-plus races in the pocket for the season, accidents have still happened.
217 days without racing and some drivers have gone over 128 days without getting into an F1 car? The split between the opportunists and those who exercise caution will be interesting to see.
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 boss HITS BACK at star driver over schedule complaints
- 5 minutes ago
F1 2025 Driver Lineup: Big names on the move as half the grid reshuffles for next season
- 1 hour ago
Haas announce Hulkenberg EXIT as F1 star's new team confirmed
- Today 11:27
F1 champion claims Drive to Survive success was 'very lucky'
- Today 13:59
F1 franchise welcomes return of INCREDIBLE feature
- Today 12:59
F1 News Today: Red Bull star set to QUIT team as F1 driver role CONFIRMED for 2025
- Today 12:38
Related news
Mercedes star tipped to replace struggling driver THIS season
Hamilton car camera captures Verstappen's TRUE feelings toward F1 rival
Marko reveals Vettel requirements for stunning F1 comeback
Fierce Hamilton F1 rival raises timing issue for Ferrari move
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860