Formula One is back after a small break and we kick off the season again with the Eifel Grand Prix at the Nurburgring. Also known as the “Green Hell”, the Nurburgring circuit will severely test the endurance of the teams, with temperatures being colder than ever.
Initially Nurburgring was not on the calendar this year, but due to the redrafted 2020 F1 calendar following the coronavirus and subsequent cancellation of 13 races, FIA has scrambled to produce a campaign of a minimum of eight races to meet the world championship criteria along with reaching a minimum of 15 races to fulfil the TV broadcasting deal.
How are the teams placed coming into the Eifel GP?
Valterri Bottas comes into the German GP with a solid win in Russia, and having cut down Lewis Hamilton’s lead at the top to 44 points. Hamilton, on the other hand, has the opportunity to join Michael Schumacher at the top of all-time F1 wins(91), having missed that chance in the Russian GP.
In the midfield, McLaren is at third spot with Racing Point, Renault, Ferrari and AlphaTauri all closing in. There will also be much concern about Honda’s shock announcement of withdrawing from the F1 engine programme at the end of 2021, which has left the likes of RedBull and AlphaTauri scratching their heads for a new engine partner.
When was the last time F1 raced at the Nurburgring?
F1 last raced at the grand prix track in 2013 which was won by Sebastian Vettel for Red Bull ahead of Lotus pair Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean before falling off the calendar due to financial reasons.
The Nurburgring has remained a popular venue for other series including the World Endurance Championship and the DTM, while the iconic Nurburgring 24 Hours was held last month behind closed doors.
Race timings and race days:
Interestingly, this time around Race Organisers have been granted permission to open the circuit to spectators with over 20,000 tickets going on sale across the weekend.
Friday 9th October 2020
Free Practice 1: 10:00am-11:30am BST (11:00am-12:30pm local)
Free Practice 2: 2:00pm-3:30pm BST (3:00pm-4:30pm local)
Saturday 10th October 2020
Free Practice 3: 11:00am-12:00pm BST (12:00pm-1:00pm local)
Qualifying: 2:00pm-3:00pm BST (3:00pm-4:00pm local)
Sunday 11th October 2020
Race: 1:10pm BST (2:10pm local)
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