Formula One Championship
This year’s FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) 2020 Formula One championship marked the 70th anniversary of the F1 Championships. Known as the highest competition of open-wheel racing, the races are very popular and high anticipated.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the race had to be postponed. The initial championship consisted of a record-breaking 22 Grand Prix. The first race was due to start in March. For a long time, there was no clarity on how and when the Grand Prix will happen.
Canceled rounds
Since America was recording some of the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases, the F1 canceled all of its American, Mexican, and Canadian rounds.
However, to qualify a series of Grand Prix as a Formula One Championship, you need a minimum of 8 races. Canceling the American rounds disappointed many American based fans. While these rounds were canceled, F1 arranged for new tracks in different countries.
New rounds introduced
The organizers have introduced a few new European locations. The Eifel Grand Prix in Germany will now take place at the Nürburgring’s Grand Prix track. The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix is going to be at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy. Lastly, the return of the Portuguese Grand Prix will be held at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao.
The originally planned rounds, in addition to the three new European ones, created the first eight rounds. These were decided by the end of June. In July, two new rounds were added.
The first was the Tuscan round to be held at Mugello in Italy. Interestingly, Mugello is owned by Ferrari. This would be the first year of them hosting an F1 race. The round also coincides with Ferrari’s 1000th Grand Prix.
Another reason to look forward to it is the fact that it poses a bigger challenge for the drivers. In the Imola circuit, the span of the round is only two days and not the standard three. So the drivers only get one practice session before qualifying and the race.
Russian Grand Prix was also added to the list. This is to be held at Sochi circuits.
Current F1 schedule
As of now, there are certainly 13 rounds in the new 2020 F1 calendar. However, as the virus is still out at large and airborne, there is quite a bit of uncertainty. This is why the dates of the additional round are not set yet.
It is said that there will, positively, be at least 15 to 18 rounds in this season before it ends in December.
July 5th with the Austrian Grand Prix. It was in Speilberg, Austria. This was followed by the second one in the Styrian Grand Prix on July 12th.
How to watch the broadcast?
The official F1 website has uploaded a list of series streaming options per country. For instance, you can watch the Grand Prix in Africa via SuperSport. In India, there is Star Sports and Fox Sports. In Switzerland, you can catch these races on SRF, RSI, or FTX.
Current Standings
After the most recent win at Hungarian Grand Prix. Six times champion Lewis Hamilton took the lead in the standings with a whopping 63 points.
In second place during the Hungarian Grand Prix was Max Verstappen. He was awarded ‘Driver of the Day.’ He is not at 33 points ane bags the third spot in the standings.
The second in standings, however, is Valtteri Boltas, only 5 points behind, at 58.
Up next is the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on August 2nd. All eyes are on whether Lewis Hamilton will bag another championship or not.
