It’s finally here. After what feels like far more than 102 days, F1 will be returning with first practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix this Friday. If after all that time you need a refresher on some of the highlights of one of the most action packed seasons in recent memory, I’ve put together some of my favourite moments from last year, both on and off track.
1) Last Lap Lando
There’s been much written about how we tend to characterise sporting events by how they ended: high drama towards the end of a relatively dull grand prix can make it live on in the minds of fans as a classic (see below: British Grand Prix). When you take what was already an exciting race and add in a battle for the podium that relies on one man driving the lap of his life, on the final lap, you have a recipe for brilliance. Lando Norris delivered one of the most edge of your seat laps in recent history as he stormed round his final loop of the Red Bull Ring, snatching the fastest lap, 3rd position and his first career podium at the Austrian Grand Prix in spectacular style.
2) Stephanie Travers On The Podium At The Styrian Grand Prix
Mercedes trackside fluid engineer Stephanie Travers joined Lewis Hamilton on the podium at the Styrian Grand Prix for what was a monumental moment for women watching the ceremony, but more specifically for black women. In 1035 F1 championship races, only 9 women have been invited on to the podium to collect the constructors trophy, and we had to wait 27 years between the first and second instances of this. Obviously this is in part a reflection of the number of positions occupied by women in F1 teams, but is unrepresentative of the increasing amount of them working in the paddock. Travers however is the only black woman holding a technical role in a team, and is the first black women to step on the podium. Mercedes decision to bring her out of the shadows and into the light is one that hopefully will have encouraged countless black girls to believe they can work in F1, and inspired them to chase their dreams.
3) Tyre Troubles At The British Grand Prix
The British Grand Prix was trundling along as a largely drama free affair (save for Kevin Magnussen and Daniil Kvyat’s early shunts) until we reached lap 50 of 52. In the closing stages both Valterri Bottas and Carlos Sainz suffered race-ruining tyre failures, but all focus was on Lewis Hamilton, who’s front left tyre gave up with ten laps to go. In truly unprecedented style, he brought his car home to win on home soil with only three working wheels, all the while being hunted down by Max Verstappen. I doubt we’ll ever see another end to a race like it.
4) The Return of The Hulk
We were treated to the surprise return of Nico Hulkenberg not once, not twice, but three times in 2020. Whilst the Hulk wasn’t able to finally grab that elusive podium, he put in a brilliant performance in the two races he was actually able to start. He brought home valuable points for Racing Point in the constructors fight as he made his way up from 20th to 8th at the Eifel Grand Prix, having taken part in qualifying with only 4 hours notice. It was his qualifying result of P3 at Silverstone though that stands out as one of the year’s biggest surprises in a season that was bursting to the seams with them.
5) Pierre Gasly’s Maiden Win
I didn’t think there would be a more impassioned and moving outpouring of emotion as a driver took the chequered flag than Pierre Gasly securing 2nd at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix, but this year at Monza the Frenchman outdid himself. For an instant hit of serotonin and goose bumps you only need to listen back to his radio message or watch the Alpha Tauri team celebrating their first (second in the history of the team as Torro Rosso) win, at their home race, their colleagues from teams up and down the paddock congratulating them. The emotional turmoil Gasly had been through in the preceding 18 months, coupled with the fact that Carlos Sainz was chasing him up to the last minute only served to make the win even sweeter. The French coverage of Gasly crossing the line is essential viewing if you want to experience the full onslaught of emotion, but make sure you’re not wearing headphones or your eardrums could end up very damaged indeed!
6) Mayhem At Mugello
Despite the world being turned upside down over the course of the last year, I still would not have believed you if you told me ahead of the Tuscan Grand Prix that the race would have 3 standing starts. That is exactly what happened though, for only the third time in F1 history. This, along with the red flags and only 11 finishers, gave us three mini races each filled with more drama than Abu Dhabi, Barcelona and Sochi combined! Great for entertainment purposes, not so great for my nerves!
7) Mick Schumacher Gives Lewis Hamilton His Dad’s Helmet
It felt like every race weekend last year Lewis Hamilton broke another F1 record, and I think some of us almost became immune to these repeated feats of brilliance. But someone was definitely chopping onions during the post race interviews for the Eifel Grand Prix. Mick Schumacher surprised Hamilton to present him with one of his father’s helmets to celebrate his record number of wins being matched, an extremely thoughtful and touching gesture. As Michael Schumacher said himself ‘Records are made to be broken’.
8) Kimi’s Still Got It
An extremely worthy winner for the FIA ‘Move of The Year’ (or should that be moves?), Kimi Raikkonen’s first lap of the Portuguese Grand Prix was an astounding display of pure racing skill. Starting 16th, he initially dropped back behind his teammate to 17th before completing 11 perfectly executed overtakes in a single lap of Portimao. Verstappen admitted he was left confused as to whether he’d dropped back and had a terrible start after seeing the Fin in his mirrors, whilst Kimi joked he was wondering ‘what are the others doing?’ If anyone was thinking that at 41 the iceman was too old for F1, he more than proved them wrong.
