2020 Tuscan Grand Prix

## Lap Leader

The **2020 Tuscan Grand Prix** was a Formula 1,5 motor race held on 13 September 2020 at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello in Scarperia e San Piero, Tuscany, Italy. The race was the ninth round of the 2020 World Championship and the first race of the season with spectators.

The race was the first race since the 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix to have two red flags. This event, along with the preceding Italian Grand Prix, also marked the first time that back to back Formula 1.5 Grands Prix were red flagged since the 2011 Monaco Grand Prix and the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix. Due to the two red flags, the race is also notable for having three standing starts.

## Background

The race was held as an event celebrating Ferrari's 1000th race in the Formula One World Championship and the safety car used a red livery, instead of its usual silver colour, to mark the occasion. The Mugello Circuit hosted a World Championship race for the first time. The Ferrari SF1000 sported a special livery: instead of the traditional rosso corsa, the car was painted dark burgundy. Both Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc wore special racing overalls, and both had special helmet designs.

### **Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic**

The 2020 championship was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the originally scheduled Grands Prix were cancelled or postponed, prompting the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile to draft a new calendar. While the previous eight events were held behind closed doors, organizers announced that up to 2,880 spectators would be allowed for the Tuscan Grand Prix.

### **Entrants**

Ten teams (each representing a different constructor) each entered two drivers. The drivers and teams were the same as those on the season entry list with no additional stand-in drivers for either the race or practice.

### **Tyres**

Sole Formula One tyre manufacturer Pirelli brought the C1, C2, and C3 compound tyres for teams to use in the race, the three hardest compounds available.

## Race

### **Race Report**

The race was marked by several incidents. On the first lap, Pierre Gasly, Kimi Räikkönen, and Romain Grosjean collided, resulting in Gasly retiring from the race and Räikkönen having to change his front wing. A separate incident at the same corner involving Carlos Sainz Jr. and Lance Stroll led to front wing damage for Sebastian Vettel as he ran into Sainz. These incidents together brought out the safety car. On lap 6 the safety car pulled in, but an accordion effect led the midfield drivers to accelerate up to racing speed before the leaders did and were forced to brake, triggering a collision involving Sainz, Kevin Magnussen, Antonio Giovinazzi, and Nicholas Latifi. Grosjean blamed the leader, for causing the accordion effect, and stated "this is the worst thing I've seen ever." All four drivers retired from the race and the red flag was brought out. During the red flag period, Esteban Ocon was forced to retire due to a brake failure; George Russell had earlier reported Ocon's brakes being on fire. The second red flag came on lap 45, after Stroll appeared to suffer a tyre failure at lap 43 turn 9, and went into the barrier. The overheated Racing Point RP20 made it especially difficult for the marshalls to clear the track.

Daniel Ricciardo won the race, Sergio Perez came 2nd and Lando Norris came 3rd. A poor restart after the second red flag meant George Russell slipped from sixth to 9th and last. He eventually finished 8th. Twelve drivers were warned by the FIA for their part in the accident at the restart on lap 6.

## Championship Standings after the race

Drivers' Championship standings

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Constructors' Championship standings

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## External links

1. ↑  Sergio Pérez received a one-place grid penalty for causing a collision with Kimi Räikkönen during the second practice session
2. ↑  Includes one point for fastest lap.
3. ↑  Racing Point was deducted 15 points after a protest from Renault was upheld regarding the legality of their car.