Everything you need to know about ahead of the 2020 Formula 1 season

What is going to change in 2020?

In 2021 the rules will be overhauled, with new regulations regarding the chassis and perhaps even more important: the budget cap. However, the teams can think about that for another year, before those changes will have an impact.

2020 is virtually the opposite when it comes to changes. Nothing will change at all. Pirelli would fit new tyres under the cars, but after a test in Austin and Abu Dhabi the teams decided unanimously to abandon those tyres. That's why next season we will see the same tyres as last year among the cars.

In other areas, too, little will change. Following Red Bull's protest for the United States Grand Prix, the fuel supply will be controlled in several ways and teams will no longer be allowed to clog their cars with screens during the winter test. The only change that could possibly affect the course of the season is the rule that drivers may use one extra MGU-K in view of the extra race.

New faces in the paddock

In 2019 there was a real migration of people. We met rookies Lando Norris, Alex Albon and George Russell, who all had a strong first season in Formula 1. Unfortunately that could not be said of Robert Kubica, who saw his dreamed comeback slowly turn into a nightmare at Williams. At the end of the season his contract was not renewed and he will be the reserve driver at Alfa Romeo next season.

To fill Kubica's empty seat, Williams has hired the Canadian Nicholas Latifi. The 24-year-old driver was runner-up in Formula 2 last year and is reported to be providing the team with a substantial financial injection. Latifi is, in fact, the son of the wealthy entrepreneur Michael Latifi.

In the meantime Renault has said goodbye to veteran Nico Hulkenberg, who despite many calls and conversations could not find another seat in Formula 1. However, his replacement will not be a new face for many, as Esteban Ocon will be Daniel Ricciardo's teammate next season. The Frenchman drove for Force India until 2018, after which there was no more room for him when Lawrence Stroll took over the team. Ocon will be keen to prove that that was the wrong decision.

Another 'new face' we'll see in the paddock is the team of Toro Rosso. From 2020 that will no longer be the name of the sister team of Red Bull Racing. In order to promote its clothing brand, Red Bull has decided to rename the team Scuderia Alpha Tauri. Not to be confused with Alfa Romeo.

The new cars

As mentioned before, the design of the cars will not change, so the presentations of the cars will not be that exciting compared to other years. Still, it will be fun to look forward to the new liveries and what aerodynamic options the teams have found within the regulations. Alpha Tauri will get a new livery and Haas with different colours will probably appear on the track as well.

Luckily we don't have to wait all the way until March to see the Formula 1 cars for the first time, because halfway February the teams will present their cars. Ferrari will be in the lead on February 11th, after which it will be the turn of Red Bull and Renault one day later. McLaren will then be allowed to show her car on the 13th and Mercedes and Alpha Tauri have chosen Valentine's Day. Then we have to wait for a while on February 17th, when Racing Point and Williams will show the car for the first time. Finally, Haas and Alfa Romeo will show their car on 19 February.

That last day is also the same day the winter test will start and the engines will roar for the first time in 2020. That first test will last until 21 February, after which teams will also have 26 to 28 February to get all the settings right for the Australian Grand Prix.

The race calendar of 2020

In 2019 the record of most Grands Prix in one Formula 1 season was broken with a total of 21 races. However, that record will be broken immediately next season, because in 2020 there will be 22 races on the calendar. At least, provided that no races are cancelled. In view of the Corona virus, it is not certain whether the Chinese Grand Prix will take place.

This year's calendar also includes two new circuits. The first of these is of course the Grand Prix of the Netherlands on the circuit of Zandvoort, which nobody will have missed. The renovations on the circuit are still in full swing, but will have to be completed before May, because on May 3rd a Dutch Grand Prix will be held there again for the first time since 1985.

In addition, Formula 1 will travel to Vietnam for the first time, to Hanoi to be precise. The race will take place on a temporary street circuit designed by Hermann Tilke, with a mix of real streets and pieces of asphalt specially laid out for the race. The circuit has a total length of 5.6 kilometers, which is about the same length as Monza.

With two new Grands Prix on the calendar, it also means we have to say goodbye to a race and that is the German Grand Prix. Hockenheim was no longer able to pay the high costs and in fact wouldn't continue last year either, until Mercedes decided to sponsor the race. It didn't end well for the team, but the viewers were treated to one of the most spectacular races of the past decade. A worthy finale for Hockenheim.

With the changes on the calendar, the planning looks like this:

Grand Prix of Australia: 15 March
Grand Prix of Bahrain: March 22nd
Grand Prix of Vietnam: April 5th
Grand Prix of China: April 19
Grand Prix of the Netherlands: May 3
Grand Prix of Spain: May 10
Monaco Grand Prix: May 24th
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan: June 7
Grand Prix of Canada: June 14
Grand Prix of France: June 28th
Grand Prix of Austria: July 5
Grand Prix of Great Britain: July 19
Grand Prix of Hungary: 2 August
Grand Prix of Belgium: August 30th
Grand Prix of Italy: September 6
Grand Prix of Singapore: 20 September
Grand Prix of Russia: September 27th
Grand Prix of Japan: October 11th
United States Grand Prix: October 25th
Grand Prix of Mexico: November 1st
Grand Prix of Brazil: November 15
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi: 29 November

This article originated on GPblog.com/nl - written by Ralph Beentjes