The 2020 F1 Belgian Grand Prix weekend proves to be one of the toughest for Scuderia Ferrari in years, with both Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc struggling to handle the SF1000.
Lights out
There's action even before all cars line up on the grid, as Carlos Sainz fails to start after an exhaust failure on reconnaissance laps. When the lights go out, the top three has no issue retaining their spots, with Hamilton quickly flying out of DRS range from his teammate. An early Safety Car caused by a collision between Giovinazzi and Russell tightens the pack. Both drivers walk away unscathed, as Russell ended up tangled in a tyre/suspension failure for the Italian driver.
One-stop
As weather conditions stabilise towards a dry afternoon, teams go for the Hard compound targeting a one-stop strategy. A notable exception is Gasly, going from Hard to Medium tyres: the Frenchman made up lots of positions in the early stages, but the switch doesn't prove beneficial at the half-race mark.
Meanwhile, Leclerc's race is seriously hindered by a loss of hydraulic pressure, forcing him to a second pit stop and putting at the back of the grid. As if this wasn't enough, the Monegasque is awaited by the Stewards for driving unnecessarily slowly on the reconnaissance laps. On the other side of the garage, Vettel struggles just outside the points and refuses to abide to a second stop. Not even an action-packed midfield spectacle can compensate for another predictable podium at front, as Scuderia Ferrari is still nowhere to be found.
Written by Aurora Dell'Agli
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