(Reuters) – Red Bulls Max Verstappen can do a hat-trick of Austria’s Grand Prix wins in a season opening race that is second to none in Formula 1 history.
Workers stand in front of a poster next to the Formula 1 race track in Spielberg, Austria, 1 July 2020. REUTERS / Leonhard Foeger
The Dutch 22-year-old won on his team’s Red Bull Ring in 2018 and 2019, but there will be no cheers on the picturesque race track as the sport takes place behind closed doors for the first time.
The COVID-19 pandemic means the championship will begin almost four months later than planned, under strict health and safety conditions, and with no spectators.
“Of course it will be very different without the orange army and it will feel a little strange,” Verstappen said.
“I remember looking up at the fans at the end of the race last year and they all got up and cheered, it was crazy. It gave me an even bigger smile after the win.
“It’s a shame we don’t have this this year, but we’ll try to do a good show for everyone who watches TV at home.”
The long wait since Melbourne, where the kick-off should have taken place on March 15, means that Red Bull will have an improved Honda engine.
Champions Mercedes, whose “Silver Arrows” cars are now black to reinforce resistance to racism and support the campaign voice of six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, will also experience performance improvements.
You could also introduce a controversial new DAS (Dual Axis Steering) system.
Hamilton, who can beat Michael Schumacher’s record of seven titles and beat the German’s 91 victories this season, is hard to match, even though Spielberg has some bad memories.
The 35-year-old Brit has scored 33 record points in a row, but the last time he missed was in Austria two years ago.
Ferrari, with four-time champion Sebastian Vettel now starting his last season with the team, had Charles Leclerc in pole position last year, but testing revealed problems and triggered a rethink in design.
In a tight midfield there will be great interest in Racing Points ‘Pink Mercedes’ – so named because of its strong resemblance to the 2019 Mercedes – and whether Renault has increased its game after being overtaken by McLaren.
Further back, Canadian Nicholas Latifi – the only rookie – finally makes his Formula 1 debut with former champion Williams.
Williams, who was last overall in 2019, will try to take a big step with the team that may be up for sale and looking for investment.
Alan Baldwin, editor of Christian Radnedge
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