5 important F1 storylines will bubble under the surface in 2020

There is a lot to expect when the F1 2020 starts again this weekend in Austria, from exciting driver rivalries to tense fights between the teams – and there is almost certainly more drama on the driver market.

And, of course, we’ll all be watching the big problems closely, such as the situation of Sebastian Vettel versus Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, whether Max Verstappen – or anyone else – can keep Lewis Hamilton from winning a seventh title and who can emerge victorious Fight for dominance in midfield.

But apart from these headlines – which we took a closer look at in our “10 key questions” feature – many other enticing storylines gush under the surface that will take place over the course of the season …

1. The future of the all-conquering Mercedes juggernaut

Changes are inevitable and something that Mercedes has mastered in the past six years of its unsurpassed success. CEO Dieter Zetsche, tech magician Aldo Costa and world champion Nico Rosberg cost the win during this time and left.

However, the last descent will be one of the largest. Andy Cowell will be leaving soon after 16 years of service after overseeing an engine in the past seven campaigns that has become one of the most successful F1 models in the history of the championship.

READ MORE: Four reasons why saying goodbye to Mercedes motor guru Andy Cowell is so important

The leadership team has been restructured and has dealt with similar upheavals in the past, but Cowell has been a significant commitment and in about a year he will be available to all of her rivals.

There is also the not too small thing with the next steps of team boss Toto Wolff, as the Austrian has admitted that he is thinking about his future – with the feeling that he could make the step up a less everyday role – and whether Lewis or not Hamilton will commit to another deal.

As the engine guru leaves the team and questions the future of the team boss and star driver, this season could prove to be crucial whether the Silver Arrows can maintain their incredible success in the future.

2. Williams’ search for investments

Earlier this year there was big news at Grove when Williams shockingly announced that they were considering selling a minority or majority stake in the legendary British F1 team while pursuing a “new strategic direction” to reverse their fate .

The past two years have been dark times for the team that Sir Frank started from scratch. The squad finished last in the constructors’ standings. The result was a decrease in their share of the sport’s revenue, which weighed on business.

The early end of their partnership with title sponsor Rokit on the eve of the season was not ideal, and although they are financially prepared for this season and the year 2021, they need an injection of money to secure their long-term future and put them back on the ground Climbing field.

ANALYSIS: What will Williams face after the shocking financial news?

The hope is that an agreement can be made from August to September that will give the team time to get their ship in order before 2021 when the budget limit is reached and when they can start working on the radically different 2020 cars that offer such a great opportunity

The interest is believed to be high. Therefore, the coming weeks, in which the races will start again, will be decisive for the future of the second most successful team in F1.

3. Progress on the new Concorde agreement

The new commercial agreement between the teams and Formula 1 itself has been a topic of discussion for months, and significant progress has been made at the turn of the year. But then the corona virus struck and the topic was rightly put on the agenda.

When the F1 is soon racing again and the rest of the 2020 calendar is taking shape, attention can again be focused on the so-called Concorde Agreement, which regulates how the sport’s income is shared among the teams. The current contract expires at the end of the year. It is therefore vital to sign a new contract.

The feeling is that an agreement is found that satisfies everyone, especially considering how all parties have worked together to meet the challenge that the global virus has posed.

4. Will Gene Haas be committed to F1 in the long term?

Haas has made a brilliant impression on Formula 1 since joining the fight in 2016. The American team has ruffled a lot of feathers with its “buy what we can” strategy, which has brought great results for such a young team. And after four and a half years, they’re still here.

The hope is, of course, that this will be the case for the foreseeable future, but that depends on a man’s decision – Gene Haas. The businessman is the one who pays the bills each year and signs the budget. And he does it because he likes to race.

READ MORE: “I think Haas is here to stay” – Steiner is confident that Gene Haas will keep his team in F1

But he’s frustrated with the inequality between the teams about how the sport’s income is distributed, and he’s pushing hard for a level playing field. Progress has been made in both areas, with an upper cost limit and new rules such as the aerodynamic sliding scale.

Is that enough to convince him that the team’s contract with the F1 – like all teams – expires at the end of the year? The signs are good and team boss Günther Steiner suggests, “Haas is here to stay”.

But he admits that it’s not about what he thinks, it’s about the man who runs the show. Interesting times ahead.

5. How will the teams attack if the revolutionary rules of F1 change?

Everything will change for Formula 1 next year as a new aerodynamic sliding scale is introduced, which gives the teams more time for wind tunnel tests at the bottom of the rankings and reduces the hours assigned to a successful team.

READ MORE: How F1’s new aero test rules work – and what impact they will have on racing

This increases the pressure on the more successful teams to make their development more efficient and also affects the way they tackle a series of campaigns.

As Mercedes technology chief James Allison emphasized, the focus of their 2021 development time will be on the brand new 2022 cars, but this time and the resources they will have to work with will depend on how successful they are during this campaign.

READ MORE: Mercedes technology chief Allison explains why the 2020 season will set the agenda for 2022

This means that a team cannot simply give up focusing on 2020 as it is likely to have more development time but a smaller share of the sport’s revenue.

The potential profits for 2022 are huge, so teams like McLaren and Williams are trying to get their finances in order now, so they’re well funded to attack the 2022 development race next season.