F1 2020: everything you need to know as the season restarts

While those events are set – and effectively constitute the minimum needed for the 2020 season to be classed as a valid championship - plans for what happens after Italy on 6 September are far more fluid, with organisers aiming to release a full schedule shortly.

F1 bosses have insisted they are working towards a 15- to 18-race calendar, but reaching that target depends on the impact of Covid-19 in various countries and regions, and contractual and logistical considerations for the various circuits.

Several events have already been cancelled: Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japan have all dropped off the calendar for various logistical reasons. The Monaco GP, which had been due to run earlier this year, won’t be rescheduled, marking the first time since 1954 that it won’t be a part of the championship. Races in Brazil and Texas in the US are in question, given the coronavirus situation in those countries.

With those events dropping out, extra European races are under consideration, with Mugello and Imola in Italy, Hockenheim in Germany and Portimao in Portugal all being considered. Meanwhile, China, Bahrain and Russia could each hold double-header races. 

The ultimate goal is to finish in Abu Dhabi in December after 15-18 races. But even once a calendar is announced, the uncertainty – and the possibility of events being cancelled if there are regional Covid-19 flare-ups – will likely have an effect on the title battle. The drivers will feel pressure to rack up as many points as possible early on and might not be able to think quite so long term.

The race format: no radical rule rethink

The uncertainty over the season seemed to offer an opportunity to experiment with new rules and formats. But while there may be some tweaks, don’t expect any major innovations when the racing gets under way: Mercedes has already vetoed a proposal to use reverse grids for the second events in the double-header races.

Championships such as IndyCar, NASCAR and Australian Supercars have tried concepts such as shorter races, limited tyres, no practice and partially reversed grids. But F1 will stick with a largely familiar format - for now, at least. It is possible some experimentation could be introduced later this year, and more change is coming in the future.

While the events will essentially run as before, things will be radically different for those who work in F1. Team personnel will be restricted and the paddock split into zones to keep team staff separate. There will be regular testing for the coronavirus and team members could be required to wear masks as part of extensive safety plans.

The audience: no spectators, new tweaks for TV viewers

Initially, at least, spectators won’t be allowed into circuits. While empty grandstands won’t look quite as strange as they do in football stadiums, it will remove a huge part of the atmosphere – and be particularly noticeable before and after the races.

Nascar resumed its season at empty venues in May, with veteran driver Clint Bowyer noting that “you get that empty feeling. Even out there [on track], you get that vibe.” Former champion Kevin Harvick has also vowed not to take part in any post-race celebrations after wins until fans are allowed back in the track in large numbers.

Without fans, expect a reduced pre-race ceremony and a vastly different post-race effect. With social-distancing rules, F1 bosses say the trophy presentation and champagne spraying will be replaced by drivers collecting trophies placed next to their cars.

The races will look quite different, too. F1 will introduce a host of new real-time data graphics including ‘car performance scores’ and cornering comparisons. Meanwhile, the lack of fans at the start of the season could create new camera opportunities: for example, Nascar has used drones flying low over empty grandstands to create new camera angles.

The racing: Hamilton’s shot at seven

So what can we expect to see when the racing actually starts? Well, things could well start out quite messily. The first race of any season often features a number of incidents with drivers out of practice after the off-season. This year, the drivers have had an extra break of nearly four months, and minimal test outings to readjust to the challenge of driving a 200mph-plus F1 car. Turn one, lap one of Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix could be ‘interesting’…

When the rust wears off, the title favourites will be Hamilton and the Mercedes-AMG team, who will sport a new look this year as part of a pledge to improve diversity (below). The German firm has dominated the sport since 2014, and the British star has the extra motivation of the chance to match Michael Schumacher’s record of seven titles.