2020 Sakhir Grand Prix

The 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix (officially the Formula 1 Rolex Sakhir Grand Prix 2020) was the sixteenth race of the 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, on 6 December 2020. The event saw the circuit being raced using a different layout.
George Russell, who was replacing Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes due to the seven-time champion recovering from COVID-19 was fastest in Friday's practice sessions but it was Valtteri Bottas who took pole position, with Russell a narrow 0.026 seconds behind, and Max Verstappen starting third. Russell got past Bottas at the start, but the Safety Car was deployed immediately after Charles Leclerc, starting in fourth, tipped 's Sergio Pérez into a spin, damaging his suspension and resulting Verstappen to retire as well as he ended in the wall while avoiding the collision. Leclerc was handed a three-place grid penalty in the next race as a result.
As the race resumed Russell and Bottas pulled away, with now third-placed Carlos Sainz, Jr. leading a train of cars behind him. Perez, suffering no damage, pitted at the end of the first lap and eventually recovered into the points a few laps later. There would be no drama until with around 20 laps remaining, debutant Jack Aitken, replacing Russell in spun at the final turn and broke his front wing, bringing out the second safety car. During this period, had fitted wrong tires onto their drivers, causing Russell to stop in another lap to change into the correct set of tires, which promoted Perez, Esteban Ocon and Lance Stroll into the top 3, the Mercedes drivers running 4th and 5th. As the race restarted, Russell managed to charge to second, but was forced to pit again after a slow puncture developed.
That left Perez to claim his maiden victory at the line, becoming the second Mexican driver to win an F1 race and the first since Pedro Rodríguez in the 1970 Belgian Grand Prix. Ocon finished 10 seconds behind, taking his first career podium with Stroll in third, a reverse of fortunes for Racing Point after failing to score in the previous round. Russell meanwhile was able to recover to 9th and set the fastest lap, earning his first points.
Post-race, Mercedes were fined €20,000 for the tire mix-up, but Russell was allowed to keep his finishing position and his maiden points.
==Background==
The third venue to host back-to-back race weekends after Red Bull Ring and Silverstone in 2020, the second race on the Bahrain International Circuit, named as the Sakhir Grand Prix, will see the outer layout of the circuit being usedMotorsport.com, F1 to use outer Bahrain "oval" layout for second grand prix, https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-to-use-outer-bahrain-oval-layout-for-second-grand-prix/4864250/. Prior to the season-opening race, on June 12, F1 managing director Ross Brawn had suggested that were Bahrain would host back-to-back race weekends, a second layout would be used, including the possibility of using the outer "oval" layout of the circuit, skipping the infield sectionMotorsport.com: Bahrain could run second race on "almost oval" track, says Brawn, https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/bahrain-oval-track-brawn-race-gp/4805552/. The confirmation of the second layout being used on August 28 will mean that the Bahrain International Circuit would have used three different layouts overall in F1 (the previous, unpopular endurance layout was used in the 2010 race).
Romain Grosjean suffered a massive accident on the previous race, his breaking into two and bursting into flames after wrecking into the barriers on the first lap, but was able to walk away and suffered only burns to his hands, the incident triggering discussions on the latest safety procedures implemented by the FIA. The day after the race, it was announced that reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi, who is the grandson of double world champion Emerson will be replacing him for the weekendHaas reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi to replace injured Grosjean for Sakhir Grand Prix, making it the fourth time a driver with the Fittipaldi name to race in F1.
Following his win at the previous round, Lewis Hamilton was announced to be tested COVID-19 positive two days after the race, the Mercedes team saying in a statementMotorsport.com: Hamilton tests positive for COVID-19, will miss Sakhir GP:
Lewis was tested three times last week and returned a negative result each time, the last of which was on Sunday afternoon at the Bahrain International Circuit as part of the standard race weekend testing programme.
However, he woke up on Monday morning with mild symptoms and was informed at the same time that a contact prior to arrival in Bahrain had subsequently tested positive. Lewis therefore took a further test and returned a positive result. This has since been confirmed by a retest.
Lewis is now isolating in accordance with COVID-19 protocols and public health authority guidelines in Bahrain. Apart from mild symptoms, he is otherwise fit and well, and the entire team sends him its very best wishes for a swift recovery.
Following the announcement, Mercedes have announced that driver George Russell will be replacing Hamilton for the weekendF1.com: George Russell to replace Hamilton at Mercedes for Sakhir Grand Prix, with F2 Campos driver and Williams reserve driver Jack Aitken taking over Russell's seat, effectively making his race debut with FittipaldiF1.com: F2 racer Jack Aitken to make F1 debut with Williams at Sakhir Grand Prix, replacing Russell. At around the same time, Haas have also announced that Formula 2 HiTech GP driver Nikita MazepinHaas F1 team: Nikita Mazepin to race for Haas F1 team and F2 chapmionship leader and Prema driver Mick SchumacherHaas F1 team: Mick Schumacher confirmed at Haas F1 team will be their new drivers making their debut for the team in the 2021 Formula One Season.
===Entry List===
The full entry list for the is outlined below:
No. 	Driver 	Entrant 	Constructor 	Chassis 	Engine 	Model 	Tyre
3 	Daniel Ricciardo 	Renault DP World F1 Team 	 	R.S.20 	 	E-Tech 20 1.6L V6t 	
4 	Lando Norris 	McLaren F1 Team 	 	MCL35 	 	E-Tech 20 1.6L V6t 	
5 	Sebastian Vettel 	Scuderia Ferrari 	 	SF1000 	 	065 1.6L V6t 	
6 	Nicholas Latifi 	Williams Racing 	 	FW43 	 	M11 1.6L V6t 	
7 	Kimi Räikkönen 	Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN 	 	C39 	 	065 1.6L V6t 	
10 	Pierre Gasly 	Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda 	 	AT01 	 	RA260H 1.6L V6t 	
11 	Sergio Pérez 	BWT Racing Point F1 Team 	 	RP20 	 	M11 1.6L V6t 	
16 	Charles Leclerc 	Scuderia Ferrari 	 	SF1000 	 	065 1.6L V6t 	
18 	Lance Stroll 	BWT Racing Point F1 Team 	 	RP20 	 	M11 1.6L V6t 	
20 	Kevin Magnussen 	Haas F1 Team 	 	VF-20 	 	065 1.6L V6t 	
23 	Alexander Albon 	Aston Martin Red Bull Racing 	 	RB16 	 	RA260H 1.6L V6t 	
26 	Daniil Kvyat 	Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda 	 	AT01 	 	RA260H 1.6L V6t 	
31 	Esteban Ocon 	Renault DP World F1 Team 	 	R.S.20 	 	E-Tech 20 1.6L V6t 	
33 	Max Verstappen 	Aston Martin Red Bull Racing 	 	RB16 	 	RA260H 1.6L V6t 	
51 	Pietro Fittipaldi 	Haas F1 Team 	 	VF-20 	 	065 1.6L V6t 	
55 	Carlos Sainz, Jr. 	McLaren F1 Team 	 	MCL35 	 	E-Tech 20 1.6L V6t 	
63 	George Russell 	Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport 	 	W11 	 	M11 1.6L V6t 	
77 	Valtteri Bottas 	Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport 	 	W11 	 	M11 1.6L V6t 	
89 	Jack Aitken 	Williams Racing 	 	FW43 	 	M11 1.6L V6t 	
99 	Antonio Giovinazzi 	Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN 	 	C39 	 	065 1.6L V6t 	
Source: - Entry List (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile.	Source: - Entry List (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile.	Source: - Entry List (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile.	Source: - Entry List (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile.	Source: - Entry List (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile.	Source: - Entry List (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile.	Source: - Entry List (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile.	Source: - Entry List (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile.
==Practice Overview==
===Practice Results===
The full practice results for the are outlined below:
No 	Driver 	Team 	FP1 	 	FP2 	 	FP3 	 	 	 	 	 	
No 	Driver 	Team 	Time 	Pos 	Time 	Pos 	Time 	Pos 	 	 	 	 	
3 	Daniel Ricciardo 	 	55.379 	9 	55.124 	8 	54:857 	14 	 	 	 	 	
4 	Lando Norris 	 	56.078 	16 	56.031 	17 	54:606 	5 	 	 	 	 	
5 	Sebastian Vettel 	 	55.281 	8 	55.830 	16 	54:858 	15 	 	 	 	 	
6 	Nicholas Latifi 	 	56.764 	18 	55.784 	15 	55.493 	18 	 	 	 	 	
7 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	55.783 	14 	55.484 	12 	55.171 	16 	 	 	 	 	
10 	Pierre Gasly 	 	55.166 	6 	55.133 	9 	54:427 	3 	 	 	 	 	
11 	Sergio Pérez 	BWT Racing Point F1 Team	55.716 	12 	54.866 	3 	54:678 	8 	 	 	 	 	
16 	Charles Leclerc 	 	55.449 	10 	No Time	20 	54:854 	13 	 	 	 	 	
18 	Lance Stroll 	 	55.558 	11 	55.104 	7 	54:693 	9 	 	 	 	 	
20 	Kevin Magnussen 	 	56.130 	17 	55.738 	14 	55.347 	17 	 	 	 	 	
23 	Alexander Albon 	 	54.811 	3 	55.036 	5 	54:629 	6 	 	 	 	 	
26 	Daniil Kvyat 	 	55.011 	5 	55.068 	6 	54:850 	12 	 	 	 	 	
31 	Esteban Ocon 	Renault 	55.273 	7 	54.940 	4 	54:453 	4 	 	 	 	 	
33 	Max Verstappen 	 	54.722 	2 	54.841 	2 	54:064 	1 	 	 	 	 	
51 	Pietro Fittipaldi 	Haas F1 Team 	57.077 	19 	56.110 	18 	55.666 	19 	 	 	 	 	
55 	Carlos Sainz, Jr. 	 	55.757 	13 	55.258 	10 	54:720 	10 	 	 	 	 	
63 	George Russell 	 	54.546 	1 	54.713 	1 	54:664 	7 	 	 	 	 	
77 	Valtteri Bottas 	 	54.868 	4 	55.321 	11 	54:270 	2 	 	 	 	 	
89 	Jack Aitken 	Williams Racing 	57.187 	20 	56.260 	19 	55.670 	20 	 	 	 	 	
99 	Antonio Giovinazzi	 	55.858 	15 	55.533 	13 	54:845 	11 	 	 	 	 	
Source:	Source: 	Source: 	Source:	Source:	Source:	Source:	Source:	Source:	Source:	Source:	Source:	Source:	Source:
==Qualifying==
===Q1===
===Q2===
===Q3===
===Qualifying Results===
The full qualifying results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Team 	 	Q1 	Q1 	 	Q2 	Q2 	 	Q3 	Q3 	Grid
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Team 	 	Pos. 	Time 	 	Pos. 	Time 	 	Pos. 	Time 	Grid
1 	77 	Valtteri Bottas 	 	 	1 	0:53.904 	 	3 	0:53.803 	 	1 	0:53.377 	1
2 	63 	George Russell 	 	 	3 	0:54.160 	 	5 	0:53.819 	 	2 	0:53.403 	2
3 	33 	Max Verstappen 	 	 	2 	0:54.037 	 	1 	0:53.647 	 	3 	0:53.433 	3
4 	16 	Charles Leclerc 	 	 	7 	0:54.249 	 	6 	0:53.825 	 	4 	0:53.613 	4
5 	11 	Sergio Pérez 	 	 	6 	0:54.236 	 	2 	0:53.787 	 	5 	0:53.790 	5
6 	26 	Daniil Kvyat 	 	 	10 	0:54.346 	 	8 	0:53.856 	 	6 	0:53.906 	6
7 	3 	Daniel Ricciardo 	 	 	11 	0:54.388 	 	9 	0:53.871 	 	7 	0:53.957 	7
8 	55 	Carlos Sainz, Jr. 	 	 	12 	0:54.450 	 	4 	0:53.818 	 	8 	0:54.010 	8
9 	10 	Pierre Gasly 	 	 	5 	0:54.207 	 	10 	0:53.941 	 	9 	0:54.154 	9
10 	18 	Lance Stroll 	 	 	14 	0:54.595 	 	7 	0:53.840 	 	10 	0:54.200 	10
11 	31 	Esteban Ocon 	 	 	9 	0:54.309 	 	11 	0:53.995 	 	 	 	11
12 	23 	Alexander Albon 	 	 	15 	0:54.620 	 	12 	0:54.026 	 	 	 	12
13 	5 	Sebastian Vettel 	 	 	8 	0:54.301 	 	13 	0:54.175 	 	 	 	13
14 	99 	Antonio Giovinazzi 	 	 	13 	0:54.523 	 	14 	0:54.377 	 	 	 	14
15 	4 	Lando Norris 	 	 	4 	0:54.194 	 	15 	0:54.693 	 	 	 	19*
16 	20 	Kevin Magnussen 	 	 	16 	0:54.705 	 	 	 	 	 	 	15
17 	6 	Nicholas Latifi 	 	 	17 	0:54.796 	 	 	 	 	 	 	16
18 	89 	Jack Aitken 	 	 	18 	0:54.892 	 	 	 	 	 	 	17
19 	7 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	 	19 	0:54.963 	 	 	 	 	 	 	18
20 	51 	Pietro Fittipaldi 	 	 	20 	0:55.426 	 	 	 	 	 	 	20*
107% Time: 0:57.677 	107% Time: 0:57.677 	107% Time: 0:57.677 	107% Time: 0:57.677 	107% Time: 0:57.677 	107% Time: 0:57.677 	107% Time: 0:57.677 	107% Time: 0:57.677 	107% Time: 0:57.677 	107% Time: 0:57.677 	107% Time: 0:57.677 	107% Time: 0:57.677 	107% Time: 0:57.677 	107% Time: 0:57.677
Source: - Qualifying, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2020/races/1060/bahrain/qualifying.html, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2020.)	Source: - Qualifying, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2020/races/1060/bahrain/qualifying.html, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2020.)	Source: - Qualifying, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2020/races/1060/bahrain/qualifying.html, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2020.)	Source: - Qualifying, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2020/races/1060/bahrain/qualifying.html, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2020.)	Source: - Qualifying, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2020/races/1060/bahrain/qualifying.html, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2020.)	Source: - Qualifying, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2020/races/1060/bahrain/qualifying.html, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2020.)	Source: - Qualifying, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2020/races/1060/bahrain/qualifying.html, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2020.)	Source: - Qualifying, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2020/races/1060/bahrain/qualifying.html, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2020.)	Source: - Qualifying, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2020/races/1060/bahrain/qualifying.html, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2020.)	Source: - Qualifying, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2020/races/1060/bahrain/qualifying.html, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2020.)	Source: - Qualifying, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2020/races/1060/bahrain/qualifying.html, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2020.)	Source: - Qualifying, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2020/races/1060/bahrain/qualifying.html, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2020.)	Source: - Qualifying, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2020/races/1060/bahrain/qualifying.html, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2020.)	Source: - Qualifying, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2020/races/1060/bahrain/qualifying.html, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2020.)
* Bold indicates the fastest driver's time in each session.
** Norris and Pietro had taken the start on the back of the grid as they exceeded their quotas of power unit elements.
===Grid===
Show Grid
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor	Laps 	Time/Retired	Grid 	Points
1 	11 	Sergio Pérez 	 	87 	1:31:15.114 	5 	25
2 	31 	Esteban Ocon 	 	87 	+10.518s 	11 	18
3 	18 	Lance Stroll 	 	87 	+11.869s 	10 	15
4 	55 	Carlos Sainz, Jr. 	 	87 	+12.580s 	8 	12
5 	3 	Daniel Ricciardo 	 	87 	+13.330s 	7 	10
6 	23 	Alexander Albon 	 	87 	+13.842s 	12 	8
7 	26 	Daniil Kvyat 	 	87 	+14.534s 	6 	6
8 	77 	Valtteri Bottas 	 	87 	+15.389s 	1 	4
9 	63 	George Russell 	 	87 	+18.556s 	2 	3FL
10 	4 	Lando Norris 	 	87 	+19.541s 	19 	1
11 	10 	Pierre Gasly 	 	87 	+20.527s 	9 	
12 	5 	Sebastian Vettel 	 	87 	+22.611s 	13 	
13 	99 	Antonio Giovinazzi	 	87 	+24.111s 	14 	
14 	7 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	87 	+26.153s 	18 	
15 	20 	Kevin Magnussen 	 	87 	+32.370s 	15 	
16 	89 	Jack Aitken 	 	87 	+33.674s 	17 	
17 	51 	Pietro Fittipaldi 	 	87 	+36.858s 	20 	
Ret 	6 	Nicholas Latifi 	 	52 	Oil leak 	16 	
Ret 	33 	Max Verstappen 	 	0 	Collision 	3 	
Ret 	16 	Charles Leclerc 	 	0 	Collision 	4 	
Source:	Source:	Source: 	Source: 	Source:	Source: 	Source:	Source:
*FL Indicates a driver scored one point for fastest lap.
==Milestones==
*First and only Sakhir Grand Prix.
*The Bahrain International Circuit has used the third layout overall in F1.
*First races for Pietro Fittipaldi and Jack Aitken.
**Pietro becomes the fourth Fittipaldi to race in F1 after Emerson, Wilson and Christian.
*First race for George Russell in .
**First laps in the lead, points and fastest lap for George Russell.
**First front row start for George Russell.
*Maiden race win for Sergio Pérez.
**Perez is the second Mexican overall to win a race and the first Mexican since Pedro Rodríguez in the 1970 Belgian Grand Prix.
**Perez also broke the record for the most number of starts before his maiden win at his 190th race start, breaking Mark Webber's record of 130 race starts.
*First podium finish for Esteban Ocon.
*Third podium for Lance Stroll.
*Valtteri Bottas’s pole lap becomes the shortest lap time set in any qualifying section in a time of 0:53.377
**The lap time that George Russell has achieved in Feature Race on Lap 80 becomes the shortest lap time set in any race section in a time of 0:55.404
***He has also broke the fastest lap time record of all Formula One tracks of the world previously held by Patrick Tambay on his Renault RE50 at Dijon-Prenois of 1:02.200.
==Standings==
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Lewis Hamilton 	332 	
2 	Valtteri Bottas 	205 	
3 	Max Verstappen 	189 	
4 	Sergio Pérez 	125 	1
5 	Daniel Ricciardo 	112 	1
6 	Charles Leclerc 	98 	
7 	Carlos Sainz, Jr. 	97 	2
8 	Alex Albon 	93 	
9 	Lando Norris 	87 	2
10 	Lance Stroll 	74 	1
11 	Pierre Gasly 	71 	1
12 	Esteban Ocon 	60 	
13 	Sebastian Vettel 	33 	
14 	Daniil Kyvat 	32 	
15 	Nico Hulkenberg 	10 	
16 	Kimi Räikkönen 	4 	
17 	Antonio Giovinazzi 	4 	
18 	George Russell 	3 	
19 	Romain Grosjean 	2 	1
20 	Kevin Magnussen 	1 	1
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	540 	
2 	 	282 	
3 	 	194 	1
4 	 	184 	1
5 	 	172 	
6 	 	131 	
7 	 	103 	
8 	 	8 	
9 	 	3 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
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References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:2020 Grands Prix
Category:Sakhir Grand Prix