Lewis Hamilton wins stop-start Tuscan Grand Prix to claim 90th F1 victory of career
Phil Duncan
·33-min read
Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton finishes to win the Tuscany Formula One Grand Prix at the Mugello circuit in Scarperia e San Piero on September 13, 2020. - JENNIFER LORENZINI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton moved to within one victory of Michael Schumacher's record after winning a dramatic Tuscan Grand Prix which was red flagged twice.
Hamilton collected his 90th career win, taking the chequered flag 4.8 seconds clear of Valtteri Bottas in the other Mercedes at Mugello.
London-born Thai Alexander Albon finished third to claim his first podium. Hamilton also secured a bonus point for the fastest lap to increase his lead in the standings to 55 points.
The race was first stopped on lap nine following a jaw-dropping four-car pile-up, which led Romain Grosjean to accuse the then-leader Bottas of "wanting to kill" him at the safety car restart.
Bottas was controlling the pace to avoid Hamilton, who he had beaten off the start-line, from getting a slipstream into the opening corner.
But the drivers behind were too eager to get on the accelerator pedal. In the middle of the pack, rookie Nicholas Latifi jumped on the gas but then had to brake dramatically.
A concertina effect followed with Antonio Giovinazzi slamming into the back of the Williams driver. McLaren's Carlos Sainz then hit Giovinazzi with the Italian driver sent airborne.
Haas driver Kevin Magnussen was also taken out in the dramatic accident with all four cars ending up in the barriers along the pit straight. Fortunately, the quartet escaped without injury.
"That was f------ stupid from whoever was at the front," Grosjean yelled over the radio. "They want to kill us or what? This is the worst thing I have ever seen."
For the second time in as many Sundays, the race was stopped to deal with the debris and a 26-minute delay ensued.
The safety car had earlier been deployed after just two corners when Pierre Gasly became the meat in a Kimi Raikkonen-Grosjean sandwich.
Verstappen, who was sliding back through the pack after losing power, was punted from behind. He ended up in the gravel with Gasly.
Sebastian Vettel also lost his front wing after he could do little to avoid a spinning Sainz.
Following the dramatic opening exchanges, six drivers had already retired and that soon became seven with Esteban Ocon unable to continue in his struggling Renault.
The first red-flag period led to a standing start but after a poor getaway first-time round, Hamilton made no mistake on the second, moving into Bottas' slipstream before assuming the lead round the outside of the opening bend.
On the occasion of Ferrari's 1,000th race, Charles Leclerc had moved up to third from fifth but it was not long before his weak machinery was exposed and he fell back down the order.
At the front, Hamilton was in control and looked on course for an easy win after building up a seven-second lead over Bottas - but on lap 43 the race was stopped for a second time.
Lance Stroll lost control of his Racing Point through the second Arrabbiata, and crashed into the tyre wall. Stroll, running fourth, sustained serious damage to his car in the accident - which was caused by a left-front puncture - but the Canadian emerged unscathed from his cockpit.
Stroll's stricken car was removed, the tyre barrier was repaired, and after a 23-minute stoppage, there was a third standing-start on this most frenetic of afternoons.
Hamilton raced away from his blocks to retain his lead but Bottas slipped behind Daniel Ricciardo. The Finn made it back past Ricciardo on the next lap but his best chance of beating Hamilton to the flag was over.
Albon then battled his way past Ricciardo at Turn 1 with eight laps remaining to claim his first top-three finish at his 30th attempt.
A miserable afternoon was completed for Ferrari with Leclerc and Vettel finishing ninth and 10th of only 12 classified runners. Leclerc was bumped up to eighth after Raikkonen was hit with a five-second penalty. Ricciardo was fourth ahead of Sergio Perez and British driver Lando Norris.
03:40 PM
Updated constructor standings
03:38 PM
Updated driver standings
Hamilton extends his lead. Again.
03:36 PM
Albon: "Thanks for sticking with me"
He's congratulated by Christian Horner. Good performance for him today. Daniel Ricciardo will be a bit annoyed at that podium slipping out of his hands.
03:35 PM
Classification after 59 laps
HAM
BOT
ALB
RIC
PER
NOR
KVY
LEC
RAI
VET
RUS
GRO
OUT: STR, OCO, LAT, MAG, GIO, SAI, VER, GAS
03:35 PM
LEWIS HAMILTON WINS THE TUSCAN GRAND PRIX
Well, not much of a contest in the end. Bottas second.
AND A FIRST PODIUM FOR ALEXANDER ALBON! NICE! Well deserved for his efforts in the last year or so but this podium was not the most difficult, in fairness.
03:33 PM
FINAL LAP
Did Hamilton do anything wrong but mess up his initial start? Nope.
03:33 PM
Lap 58 of 59 - Hamilton going for fastest lap here
Quickest in S1 and S2...and the overall fastest lap, taking it out of the hands of Bottas...
Russell now two seconds behind Vettel and looks set to finish out of the points. Ahhhhh,
03:31 PM
Lap 57 of 59 - Hamilton has this wrapped up, no doubt
Has Russell taken too much out of his tyres? He's 1.8s behind Vettel now and seven seconds behind Raikkonen. A point doesn't look like it's going to be coming his way...
Albon comfortable for third here, if he just keeps it on the black stuff.
03:30 PM
Lap 56 of 59 - Hamilton leads Bottas by 1.5s
Albon 2.4s further behind. Russell can get a second behind but not much closer at the moment. He loses half a second running wide in the early part of the lap. Raikkonen is over six seconds ahead now so will Russell run out of puff here?
03:28 PM
Lap 55 of 59 - Russell within DRS range of Vettel
Here's the running order:
HAM
BOT
ALB
RIC
PER
NOR
KVY
RAI
LEC
VET
RUS
GRO
Russell pushing to the absolute limit, charging and closing, closing. Vettel runs a wheel just into the edge of the gravel at the edge of the track in the middle sector. This will be fun. Come on George!
03:27 PM
Lap 54 of 59 - Russell 1.13s behind Vettel
And 5.6s behind Raikkonen. Oh, this is could to be tight with Raikkonen's penalty. But he if passes Vettel and stays there he will get the point anyway!
03:26 PM
Lap 53 of 59 - Albon a man on an absolute mission here
Wrestling the car to the limits of the track, the Mercedes of Bottas in his sights. He was 0.6s quicker the last time around. It's an attempt on the fastest lap of the race that has caused Bottas to drop back, apparently...
And he gets it and has closed up.
03:24 PM
Lap 52 of 59 - Russell closing up on Grosjean
And with DRS he breezes past into P11. Vettel 1.6s ahead but he could also get within five seconds of Raikkonen due to the Finn's penalty. Raikkonen is currently six seconds ahead of him now. Time to put his foot down...
Albon chasing Bottas now and doing a pretty good job. He's a second behind and Bottas is dropping back a bit here. Quite a bit. Could the day get even worse for Bottas?
03:23 PM
Lap 51 of 59 - Albon swoops past Ricciardo at turn one
And he's into third! Great move. DRS-assisted, of course, but he had to get it done around the outside.
Hamilton leading by 2.8s over Bottas. Yep, the race is gone... again.
03:22 PM
Lap 50 of 59 - Raikkonen told he has a five second penalty
For crossing the pit lane entry too late. He's in P8 at the moment and the time penalty would drop him back to last pretty much.
03:20 PM
Lap 49 of 59 - Hamilton leads Bottas by 1.3s
A points finish isn't impossible for Russell here - he's within DRS range of Vettel and Leclerc is only a further second ahead. Bottas has dropped back a bit towards the end of the lap...
03:19 PM
Lap 48 of 59 - Bottas puts a move on Ricciardo for second
And he'll set about chasing down Hamilton... crucial that he gets DRS and he's currently within DRS range, just about. He needs to drive like it's the last 12 laps of his life. Albon vs Ricciardo will be tasty... he's closing up. Will it finally be a podium for Albon?
03:18 PM
Lap 47 of 59 - Order after the restart
HAM
RIC
BOT
ALB
PER
NOR
KVY
RAI
GRO
LEC
VET
RUS
03:17 PM
WE'RE UNDERWAY AGAIN!
Well, it didn't work at all for Bottas who got an awful start and has been overtaken by Ricciardo, who is now up into second! Albon around the outside of Perez and up into P4!
Well, this was typical Bottas, wasn't it? Perhaps a bit harsh. Bad news for George Russell, he's down to 12th and last...
03:16 PM
They're forming up on the grid...
...can Bottas ace the restart like Hamilton did?
03:14 PM
Order at restart
HAM
BOT
RIC
ALB
PER
NOR
KVY
LEC
RUS
VET
RAI
GRO
03:14 PM
Ricciardo: "Let's finish what we started"
A podium would be just reward for his efforts this season. The formation lap is underway. This could be a thrilling, thrilling finish. Well, I hope it will be anyway.
03:12 PM
Grosjean and Raikkonen out on track
To unlap themselves before the restart. They will come back into the pit lane, joining at the back, before the cars get out for their third formation lap of the day.
Vettel is told this is happening on the team radio and complains they they're getting warm tyres in the process.
03:09 PM
It's not as simple as just sitting behind Hamilton and breezing past for Bottas
Though it worked the other way around. He'll need to get a decent enough start to be in contention to do it.
03:05 PM
I am actually convinced there will be a collision between Bottas and Hamilton
Convinced. Imagine, though, if that happened and neither won. You'd love to see that sort of thing (two weeks in a row).
03:04 PM
Session to restart at 16.10BST
We will have a formation lap and then 13 racing laps. Would be quite painful if George Russell ends up out the points here. He's been running in the points for most of this race and has driven very, very well.
Will actually be 13 racing laps once they've done a secondary formation lap
And they could get spicy. You know, I wouldn't be surprised if the two Mercedes cars crashed into each other at the restart. Bottas will be punchy behind Hamilton as much as he can be and will be annoyed at losing the lead in the manner he did at the restart after acing his initial start.
02:53 PM
Quite fitting there are so many red and yellow flags given it's Ferrari's 1000th race
Right? Right?!
⚠️🔴 SAFETY CAR 🔴⚠️
Out comes the Safety Car and then a RED FLAG is called
They've red flagged it again. Some significant damage to the tyre barrier. So we will restart from a standing start again for 15 frantic laps. Will Bottas adopt Hamilton's tactics of the slipstream that worked so well for the Briton? It's almost certain...
02:50 PM
Lap 45 of 59 - Rear end went for Stroll - SC still out
So a puncture kind of makes sense. It wasn't at the point of highest load in that high-speed right hander.
Anyway, here's the running order:
HAM
BOT
RIC
ALB
PER
NOR
KVY
LEC
RUS
VET
RAI
GRO
OUT: STR, OCO, LAT, MAG, GIO, SAI, VER, GAS
02:49 PM
Lap 44 of 59 - Big shunt from Stroll, I think
Lost it at one of the many high speed corners here. That makes Russell scoring a point even more likely. Just 12 drivers left in the race. Stroll gets out of his wrecked Racing Point, he complained of a puncture...
Anyway, Hamilton eventually stops the second time around and comes out in the lead.
02:47 PM
Lap 43 of 59 - Ricciardo leads Stroll by 1.4s
Stroll leads... wait, no he doesn't lead anyone! He's gone off!
Safety Car out... Bottas straight into the pits...
Hamilton has not been able to pit yet.
02:46 PM
Lap 42 of 59 - Bottas closes a little
Four tenths close. 5.7s. Not that there's any danger of a race breaking out out front. Battle for third will be almighty, though...
02:45 PM
Here's that restart from Latifi's view
Not nice.
Not much you can do there. The constantiner effect is always pretty bad when you are mid pack. You can only react to the cars directly in front of you and it seemed like the pack went on two separate occasions. Glad everyone walked away from that one. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/4nnEvzqbSP
"Staying off kerbs is slower," Hamilton says. Yes. It is. He's told that Bottas had issues with his previous set of tyres. But both drivers are staying off the kerbs. TBH why doesn't Bottas just take a risk and go over the kerbs as usual? What has he got to lose here?
02:43 PM
Lap 40 of 59 - Has not been an awful race, this
But not exactly a classic, the seven cars retiring and the two big crashes excepted.
02:42 PM
Lap 39 of 59 - Mercedes told to stay off the kerbs
We've been here before. It will not make a jot of difference though because they have the pace to pit again if they need it and are so far ahead that they can just stay off the kerbs and still be comfortable. Albon the quickest man on track now as he closes on Lance Stroll.
02:40 PM
Lap 38 of 59 - Bottas told it's going to be a long stint of tyre management
A frustrating day for the Finn, who took the lead at the start and then lost it at the second standing start.
02:39 PM
Lap 37 of 59 - Top 10
HAM
BOT
RIC
STR
ALB
PER
NOR
LEV
KVY
RUS
Leclerc coming into the pits again... BAAAAD race for Ferrari here.
02:37 PM
Lap 36 of 59 - Hamilton leads Bottas by 6.4s
Ricciardo a pit stop behind Hamilton, in effect. Albon looking quite racy in fifth and on the medium compound tyres. He put them on later than anyone else who he's fighting, so the race could come to him later on.
02:36 PM
Lap 35 of 59 - Russell still holding 10th
Nice! Vettel 4.2s behind. Both on the hard tyres.
02:35 PM
Lap 34 of 59 - Hamilton leads Bottas by 6.5s
Ricciardo two seconds ahead of Stroll and looking in a good position to claim his first podium since leaving Red Bull.
02:33 PM
Lap 33 of 59 - Running order
HAM
BOT
RIC
STR
ALB
PER
NOR
LEC
KVY
RUS
VET
GRO
RAI
02:32 PM
Lap 32 of 59 - Hamilton pits
Hamilton was miles ahead. And he still is. Hamilton ends up on the same tyres as Bottas, so he does not get his wish.
02:30 PM
Lap 31 of 59 - Fair to say not much going on
Bottas hit a bit of traffic there. Bottas will be coming in now, before Hamilton. Hamilton not too happy about that...
The undercut has worked nicely for Ricciardo, who jumps Stroll.
02:28 PM
Lap 30 of 59 - A few cars coming in for their stops now
Perez, Vettel the latest two. Kvyat joins them. Norris has to halt pulling out of his box for a second as Daniil Kvyat comes in. Hamilton has extended his lead quietly but comfortably to 5.7s...
02:26 PM
Lap 29 of 59 - Running order
HAM
BOT
STR
ALB
NOR
PER
KVY
RIC
RUS
VET
LEC
GRO
RAI
OUT: OCO, LAT, MAG, GIO, SAI, VER, GAS
02:25 PM
Lap 28 of 59 - Ricciardo comes in
Norris doesn't dive into the pits, instead passing Perez on track. I don't really need to tell you where it took place, do I? Norris up into P5 now. Very, very, very slow stop from Raikkonen, 12.9s in total so that should drop him to the back of the field.
02:24 PM
Lap 27 of 59 - Norris told to go for the undercut on Perez
So a stop will be coming soon. He's currently within DRS range, so prime undercut territory. Don't think the McLaren has the pace to keep up with the Racing Point. Meanwhile, Bottas wants to do the opposite of what Hamilton does when they change tyres. May as well...
02:23 PM
Lap 26 of 59 - Vettel not keeping pace with Russell
He's dropped to 2.5s behind now...
02:22 PM
Lap 25 of 59 - Ricciardo showing good pace
Just 1.2s behind Stroll now.
02:20 PM
Lap 24 of 59 - Full running order
HAM
BOT
STR
RIC
ALB
PER
NOR
KVY
RUS
VET
RAI
GRO
LEC
Leclerc the only driver to have stopped, properly.
02:19 PM
Lap 23 of 59 - Hmmmm
This is not likely to be much of a race at the front, I don't think.
02:17 PM
Lap 22 of 59 - Leclerc dives into the pits
And goes onto the hards. A one-stopper, then. Bottas not making an impression on Hamilton. Not surprised given how much downforce he will be losing behind him. Vettel not any quicker than Russell, at least not significantly.
02:15 PM
Lap 21 of 59 - Bottas 1.5s behind Hamilton now
Ferrari mechanics out in the pit lane, presumably for Leclerc, who has said his tyres have gone. Now Perez gets past Leclerc, though the Ferrari fights it. From third to seventh in a handful of laps.
Top 10:
HAM
BOT
STR
RIC
ALB
PER
LEC
NOR
KVY
RUS
02:14 PM
Lap 20 of 59 - Leclerc a sitting duck on the straights again
Especially with the aid of DRS. Albon through to fifth this time. It's like Belgium all over again. Vettel, on the softer tyres, not really making much progress into George Russell's lead ahead.
02:13 PM
Lap 19 of 59 - Ricciardo up to fourth
With a fairly easy move on Leclerc before braking into turn one. Leclerc needs to worry about Albon now.
02:12 PM
Lap 18 of 59 - Stroll goes around the outside of Leclerc
And into third! Albon past Perez as well. Ricciardo ahead. Battle for third will be interesting indeed today. Russell will be seeing Vettel in his mirrors pretty soon. Hamilton leads Bottas by 1.4s.
Albon wants more power. He's within DRS range of Perez but cannot get by... the pit straight is the only real overtaking chance today. Ricciardo closing up onto Stroll, too. Podium chance for Ricciardo? Yes. Definitely.
02:09 PM
Lap 16 of 59 - Hamilton leads Bottas by 1.2s
Bottas gradually getting a bit of time back, though he only took 0.030s out of Hamilton the last time around. Vettel gets up to P11 after breezing past Raikkonen with DRS on the pit straight.
02:08 PM
Lap 15 of 59 - Ricciardo gets up into P5 through DRS on the pit straight
And going quite well, 28s behind Kvyat. Loooong way before he scores his first point though.
02:05 PM
Lap 13 of 59 - Hamilton leads Bottas by 1.8s
This race is starting to have a worryingly familiar feel about it.
02:03 PM
Lap 12 of 59 - Running order
HAM
BOT
LEC
STR
PER
RIC
ALB
NOR
KVY
RUS
RAI
VET
GRO
Hamilton's lead now over two seconds, Leclerc 3.8s behind Bottas. Stroll only just within DRS range of Leclerc.
02:03 PM
Lap 11 of 59 - Bottas couldn't have done much more actually
So apologies. Hamilton's slipstream behind him was just so powerful that he was well ahead by the time they got to the braking zone. He's building a healthy lead here. Russell is back into 10th, taking Raikkonen. Vettel behind them and then Grosjean bringing up the rear. Leclerc under pressure.
02:01 PM
Lap 10 of 59 - Not sure if Bottas could have done more to resist that
I suspect he could have. Hamilton leads Bottas by 1.1s, good restart by the Racing Points, in 4th and 5th. Poor restart from Albon, down to fifth. Russell now out of the points, too.
02:00 PM
HAMILTON RETAKES THE LEAD AROUND THE OUTSIDE
It was a decent start from him, he dived into the slipstream of Bottas and was bold enough to brake later and go around the outside of Bottas...
Leclerc holds third. Raikkonen up to 10th!
01:59 PM
Restart time...
Hamilton has heavily smoking front brakes.
We restart!
01:58 PM
Bottas and Hamilton switch to the mediums
A few others switch to fresh softs, I guess planning for another two stops but hoping for a racier start to gain track position.
01:57 PM
Okay, so order at the restart, which will be standing
BOT
HAM
LEC
ALB
STR
RIC
PER
NOR
KVY
RUS
RAI
VET
GRO
OUT: OCO, LAT, MAG, GIO, SAI, VER, GAS
Cars back out on the track now.
01:55 PM
Would be inevitable for Bottas to be jumped by Hamilton at the restart here...
Wouldn't it? Wouldn't it just?
01:52 PM
Ocon now out...
He had rear brake problems and Renault could not resolve it with changing parts etc. That means Russell is up into a 10th, which is where he will start. Nice.
01:51 PM
Five minutes until the race restarts
They will have another formation lap, however, as they did last week.
SAINZ: “By the time I saw everything it was too late - it was a big crash. The main thing is that we are all ok"#TuscanGP 🇮🇹 #F1pic.twitter.com/7MsXZh74Uo
The problem was that the drivers saw the green lights for racing to resume
And someone in the middle of the pack bolted, despite Bottas not having done similarly. Then everyone behind thought the race was on and put the throttle on. Chaos.
01:45 PM
Session to restart at 15.55
10 minute warning...
01:42 PM
We have not yet had a full racing lap
It has been one of those races. Chance for some George Russell points here? He's currently in 11th. Track seems clear, hopefully we will get a third restart of the day pretty soon.
01:41 PM
Some more pictures of that crash
It'll be a standing start again, so the chances of another incident like that (with Bottas going slow until the very last moment) are slim.
👀 A long view and a close-up of the crash that's brought the remaining drivers back into the pits
Pictures show that the crash had happened before Bottas had even put his foot down at the restart.
01:36 PM
Sainz: "Oh my god, that's dangerous"
He clean drove into the back of an almost stationary car. He seems to have hurt his hand. Suspect this race will become a one-stopper now.
01:34 PM
As per last week, any damage can be repaired
And also tyres can be changed without penalty. Suspect the majority of those on soft tyres will do that.
01:33 PM
Order under the red flag
BOT
HAM
LEC
ALB
STR
RIC
PER
NOR
KVY
OCO
RUS
RAI
VET
GRO
OUT: LAT, MAG, GIO, SAI, VER GAS
Latifi out amongst all that, too. Incredible mess on the pit straight.
01:31 PM
RED FLAG
They've red flagged the race for the second week running.
01:31 PM
Summary of that incident
Bottas was weaving, going very, very slowly...
The back of the pack didn't really see this, not surprisingly and Sainz ended up flooring it into a handful of cars that were travelling much, much slower. Grosjean is not happy about the incident, saying it was incredibly dangerous. He's still going but Giovinazzi had a significant shunt, though I think he's okay.
01:30 PM
Here's a still of the crash at the back...
A clip of the restart - Formula 1
01:28 PM
Race restarts...
Bottas weaving all over the place!
And there's a huge crash at the back of the back and the SC will be out straight away...
Bottas kept his lead.... not sure who was involved there. Sainz I think and Giovinazzi. Magnussen also there, stricken, a little further up the field. Tons and tons of debris, cars will have to go through the pit lane from now on.
01:27 PM
(Red) SC in this lap
Restart will be interesting, it's quite a tow the leader will give to those behind him. Sainz keen to get going.
01:26 PM
Lap 5 of 59 - Here's the order
BOT
HAM
LEC
ALB
STR
RIC
PER
NOR
KVY
OCO
RUS
MAG
LAT
GIO
SAI
GRO
RAI
VET
OUT: GAS, VER
01:23 PM
Lap 4 of 59 - Russell: "Ocon needs to box, his rears are on fire - literally"
He has a good view of it in 11th. Just a place away from the points positions. Gasly, last week's winner, didn't make it through to Q3 and is out on the first lap. He got sandwiched between Grosjean and Raikkonen and that was that, really. Collected Verstappen for good measure, though.
Russell could be in a good position for a one-stopper here, though. He's on the mediums and with this extended period with no racing, could put the hards on and make it work?
01:20 PM
Lap 3 of 59 - Bottas leads Hamilton under the SC
Definitely a power unit issue from Verstappen, who was just swallowed up in the second stage of the start. Bottas got a lightning start, though. Leclerc was quickly up to third, though he had to back out of it to avoid hitting the rear end of Verstappen...
Verstappen actually got a great initial start before the power was all but lost. Not sure he'd have been in contention for anything in any case, but not great to end it in the gravel.
01:18 PM
SAFETY CAR OUT
Vettel was caught up in that, too, as he tagged the spinning and nearly stationary Carlos Sainz.
Anyway, here's the order...
BOT
HAM
LEC
ALB
STR
RIC
PER
NOR
KVY
OCO
RUS
MAG
LAT
GIO
SAI
GRO
RAI
VET
OUT: VER, GAS
01:17 PM
Verstappen speared from behind there...
He had an absolutely awful start, had droped down to the back, Gasly and Raikkonen had a coming together and then Verstappen was speared off by Raikkonen, I think. He's not very happy, as he tried to spin his wheels and get out of the kitty litter. It didn't work.
Possibly something to do with his engine issues that affected him on the grid...
01:15 PM
THE 2020 TUSCAN GRAND PRIX IS GO!
Bottas gets a superb start, he doesn't need to lunge! He takes the lead! Hamilton's start was not good but it was enough to hold onto second!
CRASH IN THE MIDFIELD... A McLaren in there and Verstappen is in the gravel! He's out, I think! Oh no... oh dear. Not sure who he came together with there... torpedoed from behind?
01:14 PM
59 laps to go...
...the cars form up. We are moments away from the Tuscan Grand Prix.
Everyone cleanly away. A few moments from the start. Would be nice for Bottas to put in a lunge into turn one.
01:10 PM
All good on Verstappen's car, by the way
At least for now.
01:09 PM
Predictions?
I think the unusual layout of this track could spring a few surprises. Not sure there will be a ton of overtaking, though and racing here is all new for F1. So that's something to look forward to. A chance of a safety car? Decent, I'd say...
01:05 PM
Can Albon beat Verstappen today and claim his first podium?
Think that would require a retirement or problem for Verstappen in normal circumstances. He doesn't seem to be in any great danger of losing his seat before the end of the season. Beyond that? Well, he needs to get a lot closer to Verstappen, really.
01:01 PM
A new shirt for Lewis Hamilton today
A different T-shirt for Lewis Hamilton today. The messages on front and back read: ‘arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor’ and ‘say her name’. #TuscanGPpic.twitter.com/xD2pqeQfF1
Pleasing to see some 2,800 or so fans in attendance today
: Fans watch the action during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Tuscany at Mugello Circuit on September 12, 2020 in Scarperia, Italy - Getty Images Europe
12:57 PM
Problems for Verstappen
Work ongoing on his car on the grid, particularly on the left rear...
Andrea Bocelli singing the Italian national anthem
And what an anthem it is. I joked last week that the chances of hearing it at the end of the race, on the podium was almost zero. And then AlphaTauri won the race...
Surely not the same here this week.
12:50 PM
Current constructor standings
The battle for third is incredibly tight. How will it look at the end of this race?
McLaren, after their great result last week, will be struggling not to lose heaps of points to Renault, Racing Point, Renault and perhaps Ferrari.
12:40 PM
How they will line up on the grid
Sergio Perez gets a one-place grid drop for an incident/collision with Kimi Raikkonen in practice on Friday.
The starting grid - FIA
30 minutes until lights out...
12:35 PM
The pit lane is open
This is not normally an event where anything happens, but in Hungary Verstappen crashed on the way to the grid and in Belgium, Carlos Sainz's power unit gave way. So....
Something very unusual would have to happen for Hamilton not to win the championship this year. Even last week when he only just finished in the points neither Bottas nor Verstappen could take advantage of it.
12:07 PM
Mick Schumacher, son of Michael, has just been screaming around the track...
...in his dad's Ferrari F2004. How brilliant. Shame there aren't a few more fans to appreciate it but at least there are some fans about.
Mick Schumacher of Germany drives the Ferrari F2004 of his father Michael Schumacher before the F1 Grand Prix of Tuscany at Mugello Circuit on September 13, 2020 in Scarperia, Italy - Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
Will we see Mick an in F1 car next year? He's leading the F2 championship with six rounds to go, so, there is a definite possibility that he could end up in an Alfa Romeo or maybe even a Haas.
11:58 AM
Want to know what it's like to drive around Mugello with Lewis Hamilton?
You cannot truly know, but this onboard video of his pole lap yesterday gives you perhaps 0.1 per cent of an idea.
Antonio Giovinazzi (Ita) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:17.220
George Russell (Gbr) Williams 1:17.232
Nicholas Latifi (Can) Williams 1:17.320
Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:17.348
11:47 AM
Good afternoon F1 fans
And welcome to our coverage for the 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix or the Tuscan Grand Prix Ferrari 1000, to give it its full name. F1 has come to Mugello, for the second of three races in Italy — Monza last week and Imola returns in November — at a track with has never hosted an F1 championship race before.
Mugello is quite like any other circuit on the calendar with its high-speed sweeping turns and chicanes providing a challenge for the drivers to nail the lap. In fairness, it's perhaps the perfect test for these modern, super-quick, ultra-high downforce cars, at least in qualifying trim. What about the race? I guess we'll find out which end of the processional-chaotic scale it will be in the next few hours.
Valtteri Bottas of Finland driving the (77) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W11 on track during qualifying for the F1 Grand Prix of Tuscany at Mugello Circuit on September 12, 2020 in Scarperia, Italy - Clive Mason - Formula 1
Qualifying yesterday threw up few surprises, with Mercedes locking out the front row for the millionth time in the turbo-hybrid era, Lewis Hamilton pipping Valtteri Bottas by under a tenth, also for the millionth time in the turbo hybrid era. Here's what the soon-to-be seven-time F1 world champion had to say about his Saturday afternoon.
It’s a really challenging circuit and as you saw Valtteri was quicker than me all day yesterday and even this morning, and even in Q1. I’ve been working so hard in the background to really try to improve on my lines, improve on my set-up and with the engineers we did such a great job. The mechanics as always did an amazing job. I finally got the lap I needed. At the end there I think the wind picked up so I wasn’t able to go any quicker but nonetheless it was a job done.
Bottas was hindered in the last runs in Q3 by the yellow flags brought out by a spinning Esteban Ocon. Hamilton was unable to improve which would have given the Finn an opportunity, but having to slow down ruined any chance he had of taking advantage of it, which was a shame.
Further down the field, Red Bull locked out the second row with Max Verstappen a respectable three or so tenths behind with Alexander Albon his usual half-second slower than his team-mate. Pierre Gasly, last week's winner, was eliminated in Q3.
What will the race bring? Well, hopefully the action will be better than expected as the track does not look that great for overtaking in these modern F1 cars. In any case, I'll be here for the next few hours to take you through all of it.
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