Of the races in Belgium and Italy
TUSCAN GP 11-13 September 2020 Mugello
THE MAIN EVENT
Picturesque Tuscany gets its own grand prix as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and this fixture on Ferrari’s home turf – at a circuit it’s owned since 1988, in fact – neatly coincides with the Scuderia’s 1000th world championship grand prix.
That this race will take place behind closed doors brings positives and negatives, for while this area of Italy is stunningly beautiful and boasts fine cuisine, Mugello is not blessed with great transport infrastructure. We shall at least not have to suffer the blight of participants and media complaining about traffic jams.
Mugello’s fast and flowing layout delights drivers but will militate against overtaking unless, as is possible, the tyres take exception to the punishment being meted out to them. It’s no surprise that Pirelli is bringing its hardest compounds.
Since this is the inaugural (and probably only) Tuscan GP, every record will be a new one. In the unlikely event of a Kimi Räikkönen victory, therefore, the oldest driver in the field would also be the youngest ever winner of the Tuscan GP. A far-fetched notion, yes, but it would be somehow apt since this circuit was the venue of his inaugural F1 test for Sauber as a callow 20-year old in September 2000…
KEY CORNER (TURN 6) Casanova is the off-camber righthander which leads to the sweeping downhill esses, thence to the fast Arrabbiata right-handers that follow. It’s punishing on tyres and a mistake here will cost vital speed through the next three corners.
RACE DATA
Circuit name Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello First GP 2020
Number of laps 59
Circuit length 3.259 miles Race distance 192.28 miles Longest straight 0.709 miles Elevation change 135 feet Pirelli compounds C1, C2, C3
TIMETABLE RACE
(UK TIME)
Friday 11 September Practice 1 10:00-11:30 Practice 2 14:00-15:30 Saturday 12 September Practice 3 11:00-12:00 Qualifying 14:00-15:00 Sunday 13 September
Race 14:10
Live coverage Sky Sports F1 Highlights Channel 4