Well, what can I say?
The 2020 season finished almost as fast as it started, with Lewis Hamilton making History and breaking records, Sergio Perez taking his first-ever F1 win, George Russel surprising everyone during practice and qualifying whilst substituting for Hamilton during the Sakir Grand Prix weekend and Pierre Gasly taking a surprise win at Monza.
Nevertheless, the 2020 F1 season will be remembered as the most frantic ever season in F1 History, due to the challenges COVID-19 produced, with regards to social distancing, constant testing of all F1 drivers and team personal and limited or no spectators attending this year's races.
But, what made the 2020 season so interesting for me, is the diversity of racetracks that were used this year. Some regular tracks were not able to host a race this year due to local COVID restrictions, and the FIA and F1 Management did a great job to secure very last-minute deals, to host at least one race at tracks that were available and were FIA approved.
I was looking forward to the Vietnam Grand Prix, which could have been a spectacular race, but due to COVID was scrapped for 2020 and for 2021.
In particular, the three tracks that stands out for me were the following:
#3 - Formula 1 Heineken Grande Prémio De Portugal
Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (Portimao)
This is a circuit very similar to the likes of the Circuit of the America's in the USA.
Portimao is a modern venue with elevation change baked into its layout. The Ricardo Pena-designed 4.6-km lap sends drivers swooping up the hill and down dale, before culminating in a plunge down to the final right-hander at Galp leading back onto the pit straight.
This is a very challenging circuit and requires every bit of concentration with the elevation changes as well as blind corners to contend with. The drivers felt it was a very technical circuit and was at times very challenging.
#2 - Formula 1 Emirates Gran Premio Dell'emilia Romagna
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari (Imola)
This is a circuit that conjures up a lot of good and bad memories for me personally, as this is where Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna both lost their lives, during that fateful weekend in May of 1994.
Before the circuit was re-designed, Tamburello was a straight with no chicanes and was notoriously fast and dangerous, with the cars doing in excess of 200mph before slamming on the brakes for the Tosa corner.
Pierre Gasly tested his AlphaTauri AT01 at the track in the build-up to the 2020 season, and called the experience one of the best he’d ever had in a Formula 1 car, while his teammate Daniil Kvyat remarked that “an F1 car through corners like Acque Minerali – the entrance is so fast, it’s so cool. It really gives you a lot of adrenaline.”
The anti-clockwise circuit is certainly fast, with an old-school feel as the drivers put it on the line in iconic corners like the aforementioned Acque Minerali and Piratella.
#1 - Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio Della Toscana Ferrari 1000
Mugello
Mugello for me was the highlight of the year, as this circuit truly is a classic, with very fast corners and a long pit straight.
Set in a valley, the natural topography makes a lap of the 5.2-km track – which has hosted many an F1 test in its time, including Kimi Raikkonen’s famous first outing with Sauber – a real rollercoaster ride, with the stomach-churning run through Casanova, Savelli and into Arrabbiata 1 and 2 a particular highlight.
What do you think?
Which of the three circuits was your favourite?
Please leave a comment below and tell me about your favourite memories of the 2020 F1 season
2021
I'll be back early next year with news on new car launches and testing, which will start from the 2nd - 4th of March. Testing has been limited to only three days in 2021, with the season kicking off in Australia two weeks after.
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