WHO WILL WIN THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN?

We run the rule over the Silverstone line-up

It is going to be a very strange British Grand Prix this year. Not only will it mark the beginning of a backto-back pair of battles at the Silverstone circuit, the second event will also mark the 70th anniversary of the first ever world championship grand prix, the European Grand Prix at the same venue.

But, the strangest thing of all is that it will all be run behind closed doors, due to the health pandemic. Contrast that with the hundreds of thousands of people who usually descend on the former airfield to get a glimpse of the world’s best. It will be an eerie sight.

Not since the year 2000, when the British GP was the fourth round of the world championship and was beset with weather problems, has the UK’S showpiece been so early in the roster of races, even though the full schedule for the disrupted 2020 campaign has yet to be set in stone.

The look and feel of the British Grand Prix, and the following 70th anniversary grand prix, will be very different from what fans are used to.

The early races have given us some indicators as to form for 2020, and there are already some interesting subplots developing in the race for this year’s ultimate crown. Here is our guide to the upcoming races. For full TV listings of when the race will be shown, see the What’s On section on page 25.

Entrant: BWT Racing Point F1 Team

Chassis: RP20

Engine: Mercedes-amg F1

M11

The Pink Mercedes? Whatever the arguments that rage behind the scenes, the Silverstone team has stuck to a well-known formula for 2020 and it is reaping rewards. While some others have struggled for either balance or power, the Pink Panthers are able to go on the prowl.

Sergio Perez can make a Pirelli last longer than any national lockdown period, and that has helped him pull out some major results in the past. However, he has shown in addition some welcome flashes of racecraft this season too, including against his Canadian team-mate Lance Stroll.

Stroll, the butt of a few unkind jokes at the start of his career, is flourishing too. The car will be suited to Silverstone, so don’t be surprised to see the Racing Point cars firmly in the slipstream of the Mercedes twins.