DEREK BELL

The Legend

It isn’t often that I’m lost for words. However, the opening round of the 2020 Formula 1 World Championship – that was staged in July, let’s not forget – had me spellbound from start to finish. There was almost too much to take in. I had to let the neurons cool down a little before forming whole sentences. I suppose being cooped up for months on end had finally pushed me over the edge, but, regardless of the circumstances in which it was staged, the Austrian Grand Prix was one of the best races I have ever witnessed.

There are some racing drivers who are not interested in motorsport unless they are competing. I am not one of them. As a young boy reading about my heroes, or listening to their exploits on the radio, it was my entire world. It’s what mattered. I then graduated to marshalling before venturing trackside. My ‘proper’ career, if you like, lasted 45 years but I still enjoy driving. The point is, even if I never raced again, I would still be at a track savouring the drama and soaking up the atmosphere. Either that, or at home viewing the action on the TV, my tablet, my phone; whatever. It remains my drug of choice.

So, having been starved of motorsport for the first half of the year, I desperately needed a fix. The Austrian GP delivered that and more. From the moment the music started and the camera panned across the mountains that stood guard over the Red Bull Ring, I was hooked. It was weird not seeing grandstands packed with racegoers, though. Watching drivers being interviewed wearing bandit masks as well as baseball caps and sunglasses was equally odd, but the race itself was more than I’d dared hope for.

For starters, I should point out that Valtteri Bottas drove brilliantly. He deserved to win, having dominated from start to finish despite several safety car periods, but there was never a dull moment thanks to all the drama that unfolded behind him. It was strange to see so many cars retiring with technical problems. That just doesn’t happen these days, such is their bulletproof reliability. It was also clear that a few drivers had more rust to shake off than others, and that a changing of the guard is clearly taking place in Formula 1.

Charles Leclerc continues to electrify, even if his Ferrari doesn’t appear to be anywhere near as quick as the Mercedes cars or even the controversial Racing Points.

He is personable and quick to smile, but has a ruthless streak a mile wide once out on track. We all know how good Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is, but his team-mate Alex Albon is clearly no pushover. Bearing in mind that at the start of last year he appeared destined to be racing in a different discipline, he has certainly made his mark. He could conceivably have challenged for victory in the Austrian GP had his move on Lewis Hamilton at turn four worked. Unfortunately, it didn’t. It was beyond ballsy, that’s for sure, but it required Lewis to co-operate. He didn’t budge an inch. Instead his Mercedes understeered into Albon’s right-rear wheel after the Thai-Briton had got the job done.

Then there’s Lando Norris. I have shirts older than the McLaren driver, but his maturity astounds me. His drive was phenomenal, and third place was a brilliant result for the young Briton in his sophomore season. However, that was as nothing compared with his drive in the Styrian Grand Prix that was staged at the same venue a week later. While perhaps not as dramatic a race as the season-opener, I watched slack-jawed as Norris picked off three cars in the last two laps, including fifth place from Racing Point driver Sergio Pérez on the penultimate corner on the final tour. It was a masterclass in persistence and opportunism. A word or two of praise should also head George Russell’s way as the ‘other’ British driver is wringing the neck of his Williams, which is clearly not a great car. He is extracting more than it wants to give.

There has since been another round – the Hungarian Grand Prix – which also more than held my interest. By the time you read this, more meetings will have taken place, and I suspect they will also be thrilling. Just watching these races from the comfort of my sofa has left me re-energised. I love Formula 1, and 2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the category, let’s not forget. That this milestone should coincide with the strangest year in its history, where we still don’t even know how many races will be staged, is unfortunate. However, it is already shaping up to be the most exciting season in decades.

That Grands Prix are taking place at all, given what is happening in the real world, as it were, shouldn’t be taken for granted, either. My respect for those who are making it happen knows no bounds.

‘HAVING BEEN STARVED OF MOTORSPORT FOR HALF THE YEAR, I DESPERATELY NEEDED A FIX’