Big questions for campaign
THE 2020 Formula 1 season is just days away from kicking off but serious questions remain overhead.
Before the lights go green, we’ve compiled and answered some of the biggest questions that will affect the field this season.
Can anyone stop Lewis Hamilton and his date with the record books?
The ‘Search for Seven’ is on for Lewis Hamilton, who has moved to the brink of Michael Schumacher’s once-unimaginable all-time record of world championships at a rate of knots in recent seasons. After winning ‘just’ one world title — albeit probably the most dramatic one in history — during his first seven seasons of F1, Hamilton has dominated the turbo hybrid era with Mercedes, claiming five of the last six drivers’ crowns.
He starts as favourite again for 2020 and, despite now being the second-oldest driver on the grid, there are no signs that Hamilton plans to let up anytime soon. Can anyone deny him that record-equalling triumph over the next eight months?
Are Red Bull a real force with Honda?
Although they finished third in the championship last year, Red Bull couldn’t have asked for much more from Honda in their first year together. That engine improved so much towards the end of the season that Hamilton claimed Red Bull had more power than Mercedes. And we haven’t heard that often in the hybrid era. With a decent engine in the back, and a star driver in Max Verstappen in the cockpit, it’s now up to Red Bull to do what they do best and deliver a contending chassis. Winter testing was promising, now we’ll find out if the former world champions can do what they haven’t done since their last title in 2013 – challenge over a whole season.
And will Verstappen become F1’s youngest champion?
Verstappen is already F1’s youngest-ever driver and youngest-ever race winner, but 2020 is his last chance to become the sport’s youngestever champion. His performances over last year have proved he’s ready for that shot.
Although his chances do rely heavily on the question above.
Can the younger generation continue to flourish?
Max Verstappen. Charles Leclerc. Alex Albon. Lando Norris. Lance Stroll. George Russell.
The under-25s on the grid can all take encouragement from their 2019 seasons – particularly the rookies. In Verstappen vs Leclerc, meanwhile, F1 may have a battle at the front over the next decade and beyond.
Add Esteban Ocon and Nicholas Latifi, the only 2020 rookie, to that list above, and F1’s next generation looks extremely promising. Who will stand out this year?
Who will lead the competitive midfield?
The early indications are that Racing Point, who finished seventh last year, have stolen a march on their competitors with their new-look, Mercedes-inspired 2020 challenger. But you certainly can’t rule out McLaren. And the newly-named AlphaTauri look likely to be a force, too. the that