Complete calendar with 17 races
The 2020 Formula 1 season unfolded under extraordinary circumstances as the COVID-19 pandemic transformed the sport's landscape. What should have been a 22-race calendar was condensed to 17 races, with multiple cancellations, postponements, and hasty rescheduling creating one of the most unusual seasons in Formula 1 history. Despite the chaos, Lewis Hamilton delivered a masterful campaign to equal Michael Schumacher's record of seven World Championships, cementing his status as one of the greatest drivers of all time.
The pandemic's impact reshaped the season from the outset. The Australian Grand Prix was cancelled hours before opening practice, triggering a cascade of postponements. The championship eventually began in July with the Austrian Grand Prix, four months later than originally planned. Multiple races were held without spectators, creating eerie atmospheres at iconic circuits, while strict bubble protocols and regular testing became the new normal. The calendar featured unprecedented double-headers at the Red Bull Ring and Silverstone, plus new venues including Mugello, Portimão, and the Nürburgring, which provided welcome variety to the compressed schedule.
Mercedes dominated with ruthless efficiency, winning 13 of 17 races and securing their seventh consecutive Constructors' Championship at Imola with four races remaining. The W11 proved to be perhaps the most dominant car in Formula 1 history, with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas rarely challenged at the front. Hamilton's brilliance shone through with 11 victories, including his record-breaking 92nd career win at the Portuguese Grand Prix, surpassing Schumacher's long-standing mark of 91. His emotional triumph at the Turkish Grand Prix, displaying sublime car control in treacherous wet conditions, clinched his seventh title and placed him alongside Schumacher in the sport's pantheon.
The season featured several poignant moments that transcended sport. Hamilton's powerful stance on racial justice and social inequality brought important conversations to Formula 1, with drivers taking the knee before races and the sport launching its We Race As One initiative. His voice on these issues demonstrated how athletes can use their platforms for meaningful change, even as some criticized the sport's response as insufficient.
Beyond Mercedes' dominance, several storylines provided intrigue. Max Verstappen secured two victories for Red Bull, demonstrating his emergence as Hamilton's primary threat for the future. Racing Point's RP20, controversially dubbed the "Pink Mercedes" due to its striking similarity to the 2019 Mercedes, proved competitive and sparked technical protests. Pierre Gasly's emotional victory at Monza, driving through the pack to win for AlphaTauri in the team's first win since 2008, provided one of the season's most memorable moments.
The season also featured extraordinary drama. Romain Grosjean's horrifying crash at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where his Haas split in two and burst into flames after impact with the barrier, could have been fatal. His miraculous escape with only burns to his hands demonstrated how far Formula 1 safety has advanced, with the halo device once again proving life-saving. The incident served as a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in motorsport.
Several driver markets moves shaped the season's narrative. Sebastian Vettel's departure from Ferrari was announced early in the campaign, ending a six-year partnership that had promised so much but delivered no titles. Carlos Sainz's move to Ferrari and Daniel Ricciardo's switch to McLaren set the stage for future seasons, while Sergio Perez's late-season signing with Red Bull gave the Mexican a lifeline after losing his Racing Point seat.
Hamilton's dominance was so complete that he clinched the championship with three races remaining, though a late-season COVID-19 infection forced him to miss the Sakhir Grand Prix. George Russell's stunning substitute performance for Mercedes, nearly winning on his debut for the team before cruel luck denied him, showcased the young Briton's immense talent and set up his eventual move to the Silver Arrows.
The 2020 season will be remembered as much for what happened off-track as on it. The sport's response to the pandemic demonstrated organizational resilience and flexibility, with Formula 1 successfully completing a championship when many doubted it possible. Hamilton's seventh title, achieved in the most unusual of circumstances, provided a fitting highlight to a season that tested everyone involved. His emotional thank you to his team and tearful celebrations in Turkey captured the relief and joy of achieving greatness amid global adversity. The season proved that even in the darkest times, Formula 1 could provide moments of brilliance, drama, and sporting excellence.