TUSCAN GRAND PRIX - 11-13 September

 The Independent 11 September 2020 - by Jack de Menezes

© Provided by The Independent

Formula One heads to Mugello this weekend for the first time in history for the inaugural Tuscan Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton looks to bounce back from an unpredictable and chaotic race last time out in Monza.

The sport has barely recovered from Pierre Gasly’s maiden victory for AlphaTauri, a triumph that brought a feel-good factor sweeping through everyone involved as the exiled Red Bull driver achieved the first win of his career after a tricky 18 months.

For championship contenders Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen, it was a race to forget as the two Mercedes drivers both missed out on the podium for very different reasons, while Verstappen failed to make the chequered flag due to a power unit failure.

But the disaster weekend went to home outfit Ferrari, with the Italian team seeing their embarrassment of starting 13th and 17th compounded by a double retirement, with Sebastian Vettel suffering a brake failure and Charles Leclerc crashing out in frightening circumstances on the exit of the Parabolica.

With more uncertainty on the cards given that none of the drivers have completed a Formula One race at Mugello before - with only Ferrari holding a slight advantage from pre-season testing at the Italian track - it will not be clear until Friday morning to see who holds the advantage this weekend.

Here’s everything you need to know about the ninth round of the 2020 F1 season.

When is it?

The Tuscan Grand Prix takes place across 11-13 September 2020.

How can I watch it?

All European races will be held behind closed doors, meaning that the only way fans will be able to see the action is on television.

In the UK, Sky Sports continue to hold the exclusive rights for F1, with Channel 4 only able to show the British Grand Prix live as they are restricted to highlights coverage the rest of the year.

What time does each session start?

FRIDAY

Free practice 1: 10am – 11:30pm BST

Free practice 2: 2pm – 3:30pm BST

SATURDAY

Free practice 3: 11am – 12pm BST

Qualifying: 2pm – 3pm BST

SUNDAY

Race: 2:10pm – 4:10pm BST

Here’s how Sky and Channel 4 plan to show the Tuscan Grand Prix

FRIDAY

Free practice 1: 10am – 11:50m BST – (Sky Sports F1)

Free practice 2: 1:45pm – 3:45pm BST (Sky Sports F1)

SATURDAY

Free practice 3: 10:45am – 12:10pm BST (Sky Sports F1)

Qualifying: 1pm – 3:35pm BST (Sky Sports F1)

SUNDAY

Race: 12:30pm – 5pm BST (Sky Sports F1)

Highlights: 6:30pm - 9pm BST (Channel 4), 11:30pm - 12:30pm BST (Sky Sports F1)