Opinion

The FIA has a massive communication and common-sense problem with two issues showing during the Japanese GP.

I made the mistake of reading every single reply to F1’s tweet announcing the #WeRaceAsOne initiative, and I am frankly disgusted in some F1 ‘fans’.

Formula 1’s 2020 calendar was supposed to be its most diverse, its longest and most extensive – travelling to an all-new street circuit at Hanoi, as well as a revamped tight and twisty Zandvoort – a circuit with plenty of F1 heritage. Due to the unforeseen circumstances that have affected the globe, those events are set to not happen in 2020.

The ongoing global situation has sent the 2020 Formula 1 calendar into anarchy. What was originally supposed to be a 22-round calendar has been severely affected due to the catastrophe that has affected the lives of almost everybody on this planet.

14 race wins, 12 pole positions, 54 podiums and twice a runner-up in the world championship from 101 starts so far. Sebastian Vettel’s stint at Ferrari has, at least on paper, looked strong in comparison to recent incumbents of one of those famous red seats. Only Niki Lauda and Michael Schumacher have achieved more. The glaring omission from his stretch …

The motorsport community is desperate to see some track action. It’s like a drug. For drivers, teams, spectators and everybody involved, this red flag-like situation has been difficult to digest for many. The question has been “when will we go racing again?” ever since the middle of March. That feels like an eternity ago for some.

It is possible to have too much of a good thing. With the lack of real-world motorsport taking place at the moment due to the ongoing global pandemic, the likes of sim racing, Esports and drivers who had previously never owned a sim rig taking to Twitch and broadcasting their exploits as ‘influencers’ have become the content to enjoy.

So since F1 and many other sports and motorsports are on somewhat of a hiatus due to the current COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, a lot of you are probably going to be fairly bored on the weekends. But fear not, there are still many things to watch.

Testing is over once again and the Australian GP is looming, which means it must be time for the yearly predictions by the StatBlog crew.

Lap six of the Italian Grand Prix, at Monza, with the ultra-passionate Tifosi watching and expecting glory for their scarlet red Ferraris. Sebastian Vettel, running fourth, performed what can only be described as one of his most ridiculous mistakes in his 200+ Formula 1 starts – spinning off on his own and returning to the track at such an angle that he collides with Lance Stroll’s Racing Point and ruins both their races.