Talking points ahead of start in Austria
LONDON: Formula One emerges from its three-month coronavirus lockdown with Sunday’s new season curtainraiser, the Austrian Grand Prix.
AFP Sport looks at five talking points ahead of the start of the behind-closed doors race at the Spielberg circuit.
HAMILTON’S FOCUS
The main threat to Lewis Hamilton’s bid to land a record-equalling seventh drivers’ title is likely to be himself — just ahead of Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
The sport’s first black champion has admitted he is committed to racing for more than personal or team triumphs.
“I’m racing for all of you out there who may feel that you don’t have a voice,” said the Briton, who made his voice heard in support of recent antiracism protests during the enforced time-out.
“In the world, in the society that we live in, I think making it as a young black kid from a council estate in Stevenage, making it to F1 through the tiniest window of opportunity — that’s a very, very important part of my journey and then staying there and continuing to deliver against adversity.”
Asked where F1 should race, he added: “Africa. It’s such an important place to go back. At the moment, F1 goes to countries and doesn’t really leave much behind, if anything. Formula 1 has to shift into being a sport that does go to places and leaves behind something that can really help the communities.”
VERSTAPPEN AND ALBON
Having proved his speed and racing talent, this is the time for Max Verstappen and Red Bull to seize their moment and emerge from the opening trio of races as championship leaders.
A year ago, the young Dutchman bullied his way to victory at the Red Bull Ring and a double repeat of that plus a strong result at Budapest would see the Milton Keynes-based team on top of the embryonic title race.
Pre-season testing in Barcelona suggested their car is very fast, but also ‘skittish’ and may face reliability problems.
But the driver pairing of Verstappen and Thailand’s Alexander Albon has a proven ability to shine in challenging conditions and can beat Ferrari to take the fight to champions Mercedes.
VETTEL LEAVING FERRARI
After confirming he is leaving Ferrari at the end of this year, Sebastian Vettel may feel freed and capable of delivering the consistency and speed that can inspire the team again despite the threat of Charles Leclerc.
The four-time champion has the speed and quality, but Ferrari have to deliver a car that can show immediate performance development as the season unfolds.
Pre-season testing suggested that this year’s machine had sacrificed some of last year’s outright straight-line speed for improved pace in slow and medium corners.
RUSSELL’S FUTURE
George Russell and Williams face a defining challenge and season after the famous British team was put up for sale during the lockdown — leaving their young and talented English driver to race for his future this year.
Russell, a member of the Mercedes junior driver programme, is tipped to have a big future, but needs a stronger team in 2021 to prove himself unless Williams find some resurgent form and haul themselves off the bottom of the championship.
Russell made good use of the lockdown to become F1’s ‘virtual champion’ during e-racing from his home computer and said recently he is “very excited” to return to racing.
“It’s going to be surreal, but I can’t wait for it — I just want to be back in a car.”
NO HUGGING FOR RICCIARDO
Daniel Ricciardo is famous for his beaming smile and big hugs, but he has had to abandon his tactile approach to life.
He will be joined by a new Renault teammate in Frenchman Esteban Ocon, but decided during lockdown to leave the team next year and switch to McLaren as successor to departing Spaniard Carlos Sainz, who is joining Ferrari.
The fact that McLaren are switching to Mercedes engines was a factor and one that may not have enhanced his standing with Renault as he starts his final season. “I’ve got to keep my distance,” he admitted in a team video call last week.
“We’re going to find some new ways to embrace each other, especially after a good result, but obviously we’re going to do what we can to keep this thing out of the paddock.”