Reflecting on the 2020 racing season, it can definitely be considered a strange year. With Formula One facing numerous challenges in 2020, but despite the grueling year, achievements and success from drivers and teams were aplenty.
Lewis Hamilton, Seven Times World Champion.
Esteban Ocon’s First Podium, Sakhir GP.
Although this season was cut short due to the world’s circumstances, it is safe to say that it has still delivered everything and more.
As the 2020 season ended, Red Bull Racing confirmed Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez as their new driver alongside Max Verstappen. This move has left Alex Albon with no Formula One seat for the upcoming 2021 season after he joined the team in 2019. Alex expressed his disappointment through an Instagram post stating that he is “hurt” by the decision but will take this as an opportunity to progress whilst being a reserve driver and hopes to return to Formula One in 2022.
Sergio Perez’s First Win, Sakhir GP.
After six years with Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel is making the move to Aston Martin, previously known as Racing Point. Vettel will be driving partners with Lance Stroll, who he previously had a run in on track with in the 2017 Malaysia Grand Prix.
Due to Vettel’s departure from Ferrari, McLaren’s Carlos Sainz will make the transition to the team. Although this means fans will no longer have the comedic duo of Sainz and teammate Lando Norris, fear no more as Daniel Ricciardo, who could easily be named the biggest joker amongst drivers, will be leaving Renault to move to McLaren with Norris. From previous press conferences and interviews, we can predict that Lando and Ricciardo will provide plenty of laughs as a duo. This leaves a seat available at Renault (Alpine) Racing, which ignited the exciting return of two time world champion Fernando Alonso who is rejoining the team after leaving Formula One in 2018.
Lando Norris’ First Podium, Australian GP.
The 2021 season will see the introduction of many talented Formula Two drivers. F2 Champion Mick Schumacher will be joining F1, starting his rookie year with Haas alongside Nikita Mazepin, who has faced backlash over recent weeks but has been confirmed to be remaining with the team next season. This therefore triggers the loss of seat for Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean – who suffered an extremely dangerous crash at the end of last season but escaped with non-life-threatening injuries.
Another new F2 addition is Yuki Tsunoda, who will replace Daniil Kvyat at AlphaTauri. Tsunoda will be racing alongside Pierre Gasly, who shone last season winning his first race at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix.
Although 2020 faced the dreaded pandemic, teams made sure to deliver top quality racing and entertainment for fans across all platforms, which they certainly succeeded in. Due to changes in drivers, rules and regulations, 2021 can be guaranteed to live up to expectations of providing high quality racing and competition throughout.
Pierre Gasly’s First Win, Italian Grand Prix.
