The F1 season finally returned this past weekend with a high-energy opening race in Austria. The start of the year had been pushed back by four months because of the pandemic, meaning it had been seven months since the last time wheels hit the track. Racing enthusiasts had been waiting anxiously for this moment, and the inaugural event delivered. It was a race filled with intense drama and unexpected twists that left the audience in awe.
The 2020 Formula 1 season began with a bang with the Austrian Grand Prix this last weekend. The current season was delayed by four months due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The previous F1 race was held seven months back and the fans were eagerly waiting to see the rubbers burn on the racetrack again. The inaugural event had plenty of drama that did not disappoint its ardent fans. There were many unexpected highs and lows throughout the race that left the audience surprised and speechless.
Lewis Hamilton entered the competition as the reigning World Drivers Champion, with Mercedes continuing their streak as the defending Constructors Champions. It was a grueling race for the field; collisions and technical mishaps meant that only 11 of the 20 competing cars actually finished. Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes claimed the top spot on the podium, asserting his total control over the race by maintaining the lead for all 71 laps.
Charles Leclerc managed to turn things around for Ferrari, clinching a second-place finish. It had been a rough weekend for the Scuderia, particularly for Sebastian Vettel, who spun off the track following a collision with Carlos Sainz. This incident ended the German's race prematurely—a poignant moment considering Sainz is set to replace Vettel at Ferrari in 2021. Meanwhile, Lando Norris celebrated his first-ever podium finish in third place, capping off his performance with a blistering final lap that earned him the fastest lap of the race.
A clash with Alexander Albon proved costly for Lewis Hamilton, who ultimately finished in fifth. The collision knocked him from second down to fourth, opening the door for Leclerc and Norris to climb higher in the standings. To make matters worse, a time penalty resulting from the incident further hampered the champion's chances.
Before the lights went out for the season opener, the drivers knelt for a minute of silence to take a stand against racism. Many wore shirts featuring the 'We Race As One' campaign, though Lewis Hamilton chose a different approach, placing that slogan on the back of his shirt while prominently displaying 'Black Lives Matter' on the front.