2020 Styrian Grand Prix

{{Short description|2nd round of the 2020 Formula One season}} {{distinguish|2020 Styrian motorcycle Grand Prix}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}{{Use British English|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox Grand Prix race report | Type = F1 | Country = Austria | Grand Prix = Styrian | Previous_round = 2020 Austrian Grand Prix | Next_round = 2020 Hungarian Grand Prix | Image = Spielberg bare map numbers contextless Formula One 2017 to 2021.svg | Caption = Layout of the Red Bull Ring | Date = 12 July | Year = 2020 | Official name = Formula 1 Pirelli Grosser Preis der Steiermark 2020 | Details ref = | Race_No = 2 | Season_No = 17{{efn|The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic saw several Grands Prix cancelled or rescheduled. The revised calendar consisted of seventeen races.<ref>{{cite web|last=Attwood|first=James|title=Greener pastures: how new circuits have saved F1's 2020 season|url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motorsport/greener-pastures-how-new-circuits-have-saved-f1s-2020-season|work=Autocar|date=26 September 2020|access-date=13 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020230854/https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motorsport/greener-pastures-how-new-circuits-have-saved-f1s-2020-season|archive-date=20 October 2020}}</ref>}} | Location = Red Bull Ring Spielberg, Styria, Austria | Course = Permanent racing facility | Course_mi = 2.683 | Course_km = 4.318 | Distance_laps = 71 | Distance_mi = 190.420 | Distance_km = 306.452 | Weather = Sunny | Attendance = 0{{efn|The Grand Prix was held behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria.<ref>{{cite news|last=Duncan|first=Phil|title=Formula One considers allowing fans to attend September's Italian Grand Prix|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-1/2020/07/10/formula-one-considers-allowing-fans-attend-septembers-italian/|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=10 July 2020|access-date=13 December 2025}}</ref>}} | Pole_Driver = Lewis Hamilton | Pole_Team = Mercedes | Pole_Time = 1:19.273 | Pole_Country = GBR | Fast_Driver = Carlos Sainz Jr. | Fast_Team = McLaren-Renault | Fast_Time = 1:05.619 | Fast_Lap = 68 {{smaller|(lap record)}} | Fast_Country = ESP | First_Driver = Lewis Hamilton | First_Team = Mercedes | First_Country = GBR | Second_Driver = Valtteri Bottas | Second_Team = Mercedes | Second_Country = FIN | Third_Driver = Max Verstappen | Third_Team = Red Bull Racing-Honda | Third_Country = NED | Lapchart = {{F1Laps2020|STY}} }}

The '''2020 Styrian Grand Prix''' (officially known as the '''Formula 1 Pirelli Großer Preis der Steiermark 2020''') was a Formula One motor race that took place on 12 July 2020 at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Styria, Austria. It was the second round of the 2020 Formula One World Championship.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 June 2020|title=F1 confirms first 8 races of revised 2020 calendar, starting with Austria double header|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.f1-confirms-first-8-races-of-revised-2020-calendar-starting-with-austria.36X98qZnFFhNxQ8O2WdCON.html|access-date=2 June 2020|website=formula1.com|publisher=Formula One}}</ref> It was the first running of the Styrian Grand Prix, and was held exactly one week after the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix on the same track, due to the rescheduling of the season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the race, Lewis Hamilton won from pole position, ahead of his teammate Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen. The result saw Hamilton close to within 6 points of the championship leader, Bottas, and Mercedes extend their lead in the Constructors' Championship to 41 points.

==Background== ===Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic=== {{See also|2020 Formula One World Championship#Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19 pandemic in Austria|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on motorsport}} The originally scheduled calendar for the {{F1|2020}} championship was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several Grands Prix were cancelled or postponed after the planned opening round in Australia was called off two days before the race was due to take place, prompting the FIA to draft a new calendar. The start of the championship was delayed until 5 July, with the Red Bull Ring hosting the Austrian Grand Prix as the opening round of the championship. Organisers of the race signed a contract with Liberty Media, the sport's commercial rights holder, to host a second round at the circuit on 12 July (a week after the first race) to be known as the "Styrian Grand Prix".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bach|first=Ralf|date=18 April 2020|title=Almost done: F1 season opener with two races in Austria|url=https://f1-insider.com/en/formula1/almost-done-f1-season-opener-with-two-races-in-austria/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519055054/https://f1-insider.com/en/formula1/almost-done-f1-season-opener-with-two-races-in-austria/|archive-date=19 May 2020|access-date=2 June 2020|website=F1-Insider.com}}</ref> The race was named for Styria, the state of Austria that the Red Bull Ring is located in. The back-to-back Austrian races marked the first time that a country hosted back-to-back races in the same season since 1995 when Japan hosted the Pacific and Japanese Grands Prix.{{efn|The 1995 Australian Grand Prix was the last of the {{F1|1995}} season and the 1996 race was the first race of the {{F1|1996}} season, which marks the last time a country hosted two consecutive Grands Prix, albeit not in the same season.}} The race was also the first time in the sport's history that the same venue and circuit layout hosted back-to-back World Championship races.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Haldenby|first=Nicky|date=11 June 2020|title=Consecutive Formula 1 races held in the same country|url=http://www.lightsoutblog.com/2020/06/11/consecutive-formula-1-races-held-in-the-same-country/|access-date=22 June 2020|website=Lights Out}}</ref>

=== Car upgrades=== Ferrari brought and introduced a wide range of updates to the Ferrari SF1000. The upgrades were originally scheduled for the {{F1GP|2020|Hungarian}} but were brought forward after a poor performance at the {{F1GP|2020|Austrian}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=F1 news: Ferrari aims to bring forward update package|url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/ferrari-reveals-plan-updates-styrian-gp/4827143/|access-date=9 July 2020|website=motorsport.com}}</ref> Mercedes trialed a reliability upgrade by testing new gearbox components designed to solve the electrical problems at the first race of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://the-race.com/formula-1/mercedes-has-new-components-to-improve-gearbox-issue/|title=Mercedes has new components to improve gearbox issue|date=8 July 2020|website=The Race|access-date=10 July 2020}}</ref> McLaren used a new chin spoiler design.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Giuliana|first=Rosario|date=11 July 2020|title=Technical Insight: New floors for Ferrari and McLaren for Styrian GP|url=https://www.motorsportweek.com/2020/07/11/technical-insight-new-floors-for-ferrari-and-mclaren-for-styrian-gp/|access-date=11 July 2020|website=Motorsport Week}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Piola|first1=Giorgio|last2=Somerfield|first2=Matthew|date=10 July 2020|title=Styrian GP: Latest key F1 technical developments|url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/styrian-gp-latest-technical-development/4830507/|access-date=11 July 2020|website=Motorsport.com}}</ref>

=== Championship standings before the race=== After the first round at the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix, Valtteri Bottas led the championship by 7 points from Charles Leclerc of Scuderia Ferrari with Lando Norris of McLaren a further 2 points behind in third place. Defending Drivers' Champion Lewis Hamilton was fourth in the standings, 13 points off the championship lead. In the Constructors' Championship, defending champions Mercedes led the championship with 37 points, McLaren was in second with 26 points with Ferrari placed third with 19 points.<ref>{{cite web|date=5 July 2020|title=Austria 2020 - Championship|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/2020/autriche/championnat.aspx|access-date=5 July 2020|website=StatsF1}}</ref>

===Entrants=== {{Further|2020 Formula One World Championship#Entries}} The drivers and teams were the same as the season entry list with no additional stand-in drivers for the race.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2020%20Styrian%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Entry%20List.pdf|title=2020 Styrian Grand Prix – Entry List|date=9 July 2020|publisher=Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|access-date=9 July 2020}}</ref> Jack Aitken and Robert Kubica drove in the first practice session for Williams and Alfa Romeo Racing respectively. Aitken replaced George Russell, while Kubica replaced Antonio Giovinazzi.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Williams to give Aitken FP1 run at second Austrian F1 event|url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/williams-aitken-fp1-styria-austria/4826605/?filters%5Bdriver%5D%5B0%5D%5Btitle%5D=Jack+Aitken&filters%5Bdriver%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D=19952|access-date=7 July 2020|website=motorsport.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://it.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-kubica-fara-le-libere-1-del-gp-di-stiria-con-lalfa-romeo/4827725/|title=F1: Kubica farà le Libere 1 del GP di Stiria con l'Alfa Romeo|website=it.motorsport.com|access-date=7 July 2020|language=it}}</ref>

===Tyres=== {{See also|Formula One tyres}} The medium hardness selection of C2, C3 and C4 tyre compounds were made available for teams to use by Pirelli, the same compound selections used at the Austrian Grand Prix on the same circuit the week before.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/149913/f1-reveals-tweaked-tyres-for-second-silverstone-race|title=Tyre compounds will switch for second F1 race of Silverstone double-header|first=Adam|last=Cooper|website=Autosport.com}}</ref>

== Practice == The first practice session ended with Sergio Pérez fastest for Racing Point ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Mercedes's Valtteri Bottas.<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 July 2020|title=2020 Styrian Grand Prix FP1 report and highlights: Perez sets the pace as Racing Point star in first practice|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.styrian-gp-fp1-perez-fastest-ahead-of-verstappen-and-bottas-as-racing-point.25ciHEZbQN7l64WJLVj3NP.html|access-date=10 July 2020|website=formula1.com}}</ref> Lando Norris was given a three-place grid penalty after overtaking another car under yellow flag conditions,<ref name="NOR pen">{{Cite web|date=10 July 2020|title=Norris handed Styrian GP grid penalty for FP1 yellow flag infraction|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.norris-handed-styrian-gp-grid-penalty-for-fp1-yellow-flag-infraction.5QfUaE1MCFeMd61tswxXaw.html|access-date=10 July 2020|website=formula1.com}}</ref> which came after Nicholas Latifi was forced to pull over to the side of the track with gearbox issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/video/2020/7/Styria_FP1__Latifi_stops_on_track.html|title=Styria FP1: Latifi stops on track|website=formula1.com|date=10 July 2020|access-date=10 July 2020}}</ref> Kevin Magnussen was unable to set a lap time during the session due to battery problems.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/62812/problems-magnussen-discovered-no-time-penalty-for-haas-driver.html|title=Problems with battery for Magnussen during VT1|website=gpblog.com|date=10 July 2020|access-date=10 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2020/races/1046/styria/practice-1.html|title=Formula 1 Pirelli Grosser Preis der Steiermark - Practice 1|website=formula1.com|access-date=10 July 2020}}</ref>

The second practice session ended with Verstappen fastest, followed by Bottas and Pérez.<ref>{{Cite web|title=FP2 2020 Styrian Grand Prix report and highlights: Verstappen heads Bottas and Perez as Ricciardo crashes|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.fp2-verstappen-heads-bottas-and-perez-at-the-red-bull-ring-as-ricciardo.63khqcK3eDFZXs1zaXqY4D.html|access-date=10 July 2020|website=formula1.com}}</ref> Daniel Ricciardo's session ended early when his Renault R.S.20 left the track at turn nine and crashed heavily into the barriers at the exit of the corner, bringing out the red flags. Ricciardo confirmed over the radio that he was fine and was taken to the circuit's medical centre where he was declared fit to race.<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 July 2020|title=WATCH: All the angles of Daniel Ricciardo's big FP2 crash at the Red Bull Ring|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.watch-all-the-angles-of-daniel-ricciardos-big-fp2-crash-at-the-red-bull-ring.x3QLGf8KbosMeUxmPBv4G.html|access-date=10 July 2020|website=formula1.com}}</ref> Lewis Hamilton finished the session in sixth, seven-tenths adrift of teammate Bottas. Alexander Albon recovered from a spin at turn three to record the seventh-fastest time, and complained about a "snappy" Red Bull RB16 – which then led to another spin into the gravel going through the turn 7–8 chicane with 15 minutes of the session to go.<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 July 2020|title=FP2: Verstappen heads Bottas and Perez at the Red Bull Ring as Ricciardo crashes – Formula 1|url=https://minnesotaonlinenews.com/fp2-verstappen-heads-bottas-and-perez-at-the-red-bull-ring-as-ricciardo-crashes-formula-1/|access-date=11 July 2020|website=Minnesota Online News|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923002836/https://minnesotaonlinenews.com/fp2-verstappen-heads-bottas-and-perez-at-the-red-bull-ring-as-ricciardo-crashes-formula-1/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Lando Norris cited chest and back pain as the reason for doing fewer laps in practice than teammate Carlos Sainz Jr., however his condition had improved by the following morning.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.norris-feeling-better-after-chest-pains-hamper-running-in-styrian-gp-friday.4jqYZcyi67iZ9YCL5isJbF.html|title=Norris 'feeling better' after chest pains hampered running in Styrian GP Friday practice|website=formula1.com|date=11 July 2020|access-date=11 July 2020}}</ref>

The third practice session was cancelled due to heavy rain.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kalinauckas|first=Alex|date=11 July 2020|title=Final Styrian GP practice cancelled due to rain|url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/styrian-gp-final-practice-cancelled/4830978/|access-date=11 July 2020|website=Motorsport.com}}</ref>

==Qualifying== === Q1 and Q2 === The first qualifying session began at 15:46 local time, forty-six minutes after the session was originally scheduled to start. All drivers started on the wet compound tyres, and all would continue to use it for the entirety of qualifying. The track was extremely wet, with the cars prone to aquaplaning. The only major incident of the session came towards the end, when Antonio Giovinazzi lost control of his Alfa Romeo after turn seven; his car slid onto the grass and collided gently with a barrier, scattering some debris. Giovinazzi kept the engine running, but soon stopped at turn four, leading to the session being red-flagged with 13 seconds remaining.<ref name="F1COMQualifying">{{cite web |date=11 July 2020 |title=Qualifying report: Hamilton beats Verstappen to pole by 1.2s with epic lap in the wet |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/qualifying-report-dominant-hamilton-beats-verstappen-to-pole-by-1-2s-with.4ItDviae9CIz3GU7kD0qkN |access-date=13 December 2025 |publisher=Formula1.com}}</ref><ref name="AutosportQualifying2">{{cite web |last=Kalinauckas |first=Alex |date=11 July 2020 |title=Styrian GP: Hamilton storms to pole position in wet qualifying |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/styrian-gp-hamilton-storms-to-pole-position-in-wet-qualifying-4981270/4981270/ |access-date=13 December 2025 |work=Autosport}}</ref> Giovinazzi was eliminated from Q1 along with Kimi Räikkönen, Sergio Pérez, Nicholas Latifi and Romain Grosjean, who had not set a lap due to an issue with his energy recovery system.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.planetf1.com/news/romain-grosjean-styrian-gp/|title=ERS issue wrecked Grosjean's Styrian GP qualifying|website=planetf1.com|date=11 July 2020|access-date=12 July 2020}}</ref> George Russell reached Q2 for the first time in his career, the first time a Williams driver had achieved this since the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix.<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 July 2020|title=Styrian Grand Prix qualifying facts and stats: Carlos Sainz and George Russell hit career highs in Styria|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.qualifying-facts-and-stats-sainz-and-russell-hit-career-highs-in-styria.4bjBotYnYUOci1UCtCd7sN.html|access-date=12 July 2020|website=formula1.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/150506/williams-frustrated-by-q3-nearmiss-in-styrian-gp|title=George Russell's Q3 near-miss at Styrian GP "frustrating" for Williams|website=autosport.com|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|date=11 July 2020|access-date=11 July 2020}}</ref>

The rain intensity increased during Q2 however the session proceeded without incident. Those eliminated were Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Lance Stroll, Daniil Kvyat, and Kevin Magnussen.<ref name="F1COMQualifying" /><ref name="AutosportQualifying2" />

=== Q3 === Heavy rain continued into Q3 but gradually decreased over the course of the session. At various points, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Valtteri Bottas were on provisional pole position. In the end, Hamilton took pole with a lap time of 1:19:273, over 1.2 seconds faster than his nearest rival, Verstappen, who spun on his final attempt. Carlos Sainz Jr. qualified third, the first driver to do so for McLaren on pace alone since Jenson Button at the 2014 British Grand Prix (Sainz's teammate Lando Norris had started third at the previous race, but had been promoted to that position after Hamilton received a penalty).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/formula1/52891704 |title=How Styrian GP qualifying unfolded |last=Rose |first=Gary |date=11 July 2020 |publisher=BBC |access-date=12 July 2020 }}</ref> Hamilton's teammate Bottas qualified in fourth place, followed by Esteban Ocon, Lando Norris, Alexander Albon, Pierre Gasly, Daniel Ricciardo, and Sebastian Vettel.<ref name="F1COMQualifying" /><ref name="AutosportQualifying2" />

=== Post-qualifying === Norris's penalty issued during the first practice session demoted him from sixth to ninth on the grid. Three drivers were investigated for breaches of the sporting regulations after qualifying; Pérez for ignoring yellow flags during Q1, Räikkönen and Leclerc for breaches of red-flag protocol during Q1, and Leclerc again for impeding Kvyat during Q2. No action was taken regarding the first three allegations, however Leclerc was issued a three-place grid penalty for impeding Kvyat, demoting him from 11th to 14th on the grid.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.charles-leclerc-hit-with-three-place-grid-penalty-for-styrian-grand-prix.5WZl6mpWdKvacCkzIDROiN.html|title=Charles Leclerc hit with three place grid penalty for Styrian Grand Prix|website=formula1.com|date=11 July 2020|access-date=12 July 2020}}</ref> On the morning of the race, Giovinazzi received a five place grid penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change,<ref name="GIO pen">{{Cite web|date=12 July 2020|title=Giovinazzi handed five-place grid penalty for Styrian Grand Prix|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.giovinazzi-handed-five-place-grid-penalty-as-stewards-investigate-haas-for.1FyZu86KDRnBLDXefxJnXr.html|access-date=12 July 2020|website=formula1.com}}</ref> whilst Romain Grosjean was forced to start from the pit lane due to a breach of parc fermé regulations by his team, who worked on his car for over 3 hours more than allowed by the regulations, without the presence of a scrutineer. Whilst the normal punishment in such cases is disqualification from the Grand Prix weekend, Grosjean avoided this as the team blamed an energy recovery system (ERS) water pump problem that had to be repaired in order to allow him to participate.<ref name="GRO pen">{{Cite web|date=12 July 2020|title=Grosjean set for pit lane start in Styria after Haas parc ferme breach|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.grosjean-set-for-pit-lane-start-in-styria-after-haas-parc-ferme-breach.1pVorIISl5VbXI6ZFQYlGJ.html|access-date=12 July 2020|website=formula1.com}}</ref>

=== Qualifying classification === {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 85%;" ! rowspan="2" |{{Tooltip|Pos.|Qualifying position}} ! rowspan="2" |{{Tooltip|No.|Car number}} ! rowspan="2" |Driver ! rowspan="2" |Constructor ! colspan="3" style="background:#eaecf0; text-align:center;" |{{nowrap|Qualifying times}} ! rowspan="2" |{{Tooltip|Final grid|Final grid position}} |- ! scope="col" |Q1 ! scope="col" |Q2 ! scope="col" |Q3 |- ! scope="row" |1 | align="center" |44 |data-sort-value="ham"|{{flagicon|GBR}} Lewis Hamilton |Mercedes | '''1:18.188''' | '''1:17.825''' | '''1:19.273''' | align="center" |1 |- ! scope="row" |2 | align="center" |33 |data-sort-value="ver"|{{flagicon|NED}} Max Verstappen |Red Bull Racing-Honda | 1:18.297 | 1:17.938 | 1:20.489 | align="center" |2 |- ! scope="row" |3 | align="center" |55 |data-sort-value="sai"|{{flagicon|SPA}} Carlos Sainz Jr. |McLaren-Renault | 1:18.590 | 1:18.836 | 1:20.671 | align="center" |3 |- ! scope="row" |4 | align="center" |77 |data-sort-value="bot"|{{flagicon|FIN}} Valtteri Bottas |Mercedes | 1:18.791 | 1:18.657 | 1:20.701 | align="center" |4 |- ! scope="row" |5 | align="center" |31 |data-sort-value="oco"|{{flagicon|FRA}} Esteban Ocon |Renault | 1:19.687 | 1:18.764 | 1:20.922 | align="center" |5 |- ! scope="row" |6 | align="center" |4 |data-sort-value="nor"|{{flagicon|GBR}} Lando Norris |McLaren-Renault | 1:18.504 | 1:18.448 | 1:20.925 | align="center" |9{{ref|a|a}} |- ! scope="row" |7 | align="center" |23 |data-sort-value="alb"|{{flagicon|THA}} Alexander Albon |Red Bull Racing-Honda | 1:20.882 | 1:19.014 | 1:21.011 | align="center" |6 |- ! scope="row" |8 | align="center" |10 |data-sort-value="gas"|{{flagicon|FRA}} Pierre Gasly |AlphaTauri-Honda | 1:20.192 | 1:18.744 | 1:21.028 | align="center" |7 |- ! scope="row" |9 | align="center" |3 |data-sort-value="ric"|{{flagicon|AUS}} Daniel Ricciardo |Renault | 1:19.662 | 1:19.229 | 1:21.192 | align="center" |8 |- ! scope="row" |10 | align="center" |5 |data-sort-value="vet"|{{flagicon|GER}} Sebastian Vettel |Ferrari | 1:20.243 | 1:19.545 | 1:21.651 | align="center" |10 |- ! scope="row" |11 | align="center" |16 |data-sort-value="lec"|{{flagicon|MON}} Charles Leclerc |Ferrari | 1:20.871 | 1:19.628 |style="background: silver" align="center" data-sort-value="11"|N/A | align="center" |14{{ref|b|b}} |- ! scope="row" |12 | align="center" |63 |data-sort-value="rus"|{{flagicon|GBR}} George Russell | Williams-Mercedes | 1:20.382 | 1:19.636 |style="background: silver" align="center" data-sort-value="12"|N/A | align="center" |11 |- ! scope="row" |13 | align="center" |18 |data-sort-value="str"|{{flagicon|CAN}} Lance Stroll ||{{nowrap|Racing Point-BWT Mercedes}} | 1:19.697 | 1:19.645 |style="background: silver" align="center" data-sort-value="13"|N/A | align="center" |12 |- ! scope="row" |14 | align="center" |26 |data-sort-value="kvy"|{{flagicon|RUS}} Daniil Kvyat |AlphaTauri-Honda | 1:19.824 | 1:19.717 |style="background: silver" align="center" data-sort-value="14"|N/A | align="center" |13 |- ! scope="row" |15 | align="center" |20 |data-sort-value="mag"|{{flagicon|DEN}} Kevin Magnussen |Haas-Ferrari | 1:21.140 | 1:20.211 |style="background: silver" align="center" data-sort-value="15"|N/A | align="center" |15 |- ! scope="row" |16 | align="center" |7 |data-sort-value="rai"|{{flagicon|FIN}} Kimi Räikkönen |Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari | 1:21.372 |style="background: silver" align="center" data-sort-value="16"|N/A |style="background: silver" align="center" data-sort-value="16"|N/A | align="center" |16 |- ! scope="row" |17 | align="center" |11 |data-sort-value="per"|{{flagicon|MEX}} Sergio Pérez ||{{nowrap|Racing Point-BWT Mercedes}} | 1:21.607 |style="background: silver" align="center" data-sort-value="17"|N/A |style="background: silver" align="center" data-sort-value="17"|N/A | align="center" |17 |- ! scope="row" |18 | align="center" |6 |data-sort-value="lat"|{{flagicon|CAN}} Nicholas Latifi |Williams-Mercedes | 1:21.759 |style="background: silver" align="center" data-sort-value="18"|N/A |style="background: silver" align="center" data-sort-value="18"|N/A | align="center" |18 |- ! scope="row" |19 | align="center" |99 |data-sort-value="gio"|{{nowrap|{{flagicon|ITA}} Antonio Giovinazzi}} |Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari | 1:21.831 |style="background: silver" align="center" data-sort-value="19"|N/A |style="background: silver" align="center" data-sort-value="19"|N/A | align="center"|19{{ref|c|c}} |- ! scope="row" |20 |align="center"|8 |data-sort-value="GRO"|{{flagicon|FRA}} Romain Grosjean |Haas-Ferrari |data-sort-value="2:00" nowrap|No time |style="background: silver" align="center"|N/A |style="background: silver" align="center"|N/A | align="center" data-sort-value="20"|{{abbr|PL|Pit lane}}{{ref|d|d}} |- |-class="sortbottom" !colspan="8"| 107% time: 1:23.661{{ref|e|e}} |- !colspan="8"| Source:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2020/races/1046/austria/qualifying.html|title=Formula 1 Pirelli Grosser Preis der Steiermark 2020 – Qualifying|website=Formula1.com|date=11 July 2020|access-date=11 July 2020}}</ref> |}

==== Notes ==== * {{note|a|a}} – Lando Norris received a three-place grid penalty for overtaking under yellow flags during the first practice session.<ref name="NOR pen"/> * {{note|b|b}} – Charles Leclerc received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Daniil Kvyat during qualifying.<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 July 2020|title=Charles Leclerc hit with three place grid penalty for Styrian Grand Prix|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.charles-leclerc-hit-with-three-place-grid-penalty-for-styrian-grand-prix.5WZl6mpWdKvacCkzIDROiN.html|access-date=11 July 2020|website=formula1.com}}</ref> * {{note|c|c}} – Antonio Giovinazzi received a five-place grid penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change.<ref name="GIO pen"/> * {{note|d|d}} – Romain Grosjean was required to start from the pit lane after his team broke parc fermé regulations.<ref name="GRO pen"/> * {{note|e|e}} – As qualifying was held on a wet track, the 107% rule was not in force.<ref>{{cite web|date=19 June 2020|title=2020 Formula One Sporting Regulations|url=https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/2020_formula_1_sporting_regulations_-_iss_9_-_2020-06-19_0.pdf|access-date=12 July 2020|publisher=Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|page=31}}</ref>

== Race == === Race report === ==== Opening laps ==== The race was run in dry conditions, in contrast to the entirely wet qualifying meaning all 20 drivers had a free choice of starting tyres as is permitted by the Sporting Regulations.<ref>{{cite web|date=19 June 2020|title=2020 Formula One Sporting Regulations|url=https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/2020_formula_1_sporting_regulations_-_iss_9_-_2020-06-19_0.pdf|access-date=12 July 2020|publisher=Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|page=31}}</ref> Lewis Hamilton maintained his lead from pole. At turn one Sebastian Vettel fell to 12th place behind George Russell and Lance Stroll. In an attempt to overtake his teammate on the inside of turn three, Charles Leclerc collided with Vettel, breaking Vettel's rear wing. The safety car was then deployed to clear debris from the turn three incident. Both Ferraris entered the pits at the end of the opening lap and Vettel's car was retired from the race. Leclerc's car had suffered front wing and floor damage and his front wing was replaced. Racing resumed on lap four. Russell, running in 11th place, left the track at turn six and went into the gravel. He was able to continue racing but rejoined at the back of the field in 18th place. At the end of lap four, Ferrari determined that the damage to Leclerc's car was too great to continue and he entered the pits to retire from the race. By lap eight, Carlos Sainz Jr. had fallen from third to fifth having been passed by Valtteri Bottas and Alexander Albon. On lap 14, Sergio Pérez entered the points positions by passing Lando Norris for tenth place, having started 17th.<ref name="AutosportRace">{{cite web |last=Kalinauckas |first=Alex |date=12 July 2020 |title=Styrian GP: Hamilton takes controlled victory in Mercedes 1-2 as Ferraris collide |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/styrian-gp-hamilton-takes-controlled-victory-in-mercedes-1-2-as-ferraris-collide-4981211/4981211/ |access-date=13 December 2025 |work=Autosport}}</ref><ref name="F1COMRace">{{cite web |date=12 July 2020 |title=Hamilton eases to Styrian Grand Prix victory over Bottas as Ferraris collide |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/hamilton-eases-to-styrian-grand-prix-victory-over-bottas-as-ferraris-collide.5PfZ0DxltY7qOrbeVXMLa3 |access-date=13 December 2025 |publisher=Formula1.com}}</ref>

==== Mid-race ==== On lap 24, second-placed Max Verstappen was the first driver to make a scheduled pit stop. On the following lap, Esteban Ocon entered the pits to retire from the race, his car suffering from a cooling issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gpfans.com/en/articles/54325/ricciardo-i-would-never-have-dive-bombed-ocon/|title=Ricciardo: I would never have 'dive-bombed' Ocon|website=gpfans.com|first=Ian|last=Parkes|date=12 July 2020|access-date=12 July 2020}}</ref> Race leader Hamilton pitted on lap 27, with teammate Bottas inheriting the lead. On lap 32, Sainz suffered a slow pit stop which would go on to cost him three positions, and two laps later Bottas made his first stop to hand the lead back to Hamilton. After all drivers had made their first stops, the order was Hamilton, Verstappen, Bottas, Albon, Ricciardo, Stroll, Pérez, Sainz, Norris and Pierre Gasly.<ref name="AutosportRace" /><ref name="F1COMRace" />

Pérez began to move further forward after his pit stop, passing teammate Stroll on lap 46 and then Daniel Ricciardo two laps later to claim fifth place. Pérez then set a number of fastest laps whilst moving closer towards Albon in fourth.<ref name="race report">{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/2020-styrian-grand-prix-dominated-by-hamilton-race-results|title=2020 F1 Styrian Grand Prix report: Hamilton in command ahead of midfield drama|website=motorsportmagazine.com|first=Chris|last=Medland|date=12 July 2020|access-date=12 July 2020}}</ref> Gasly later became the first driver to make two pit stops, having started seventh but fallen to 13th on his hard-compound tyres. He would only recover to 15th by the end of the race. On lap 62 Sainz let Norris pass for eighth.<ref name="AutosportRace" /><ref name="F1COMRace" />

==== Closing laps ==== Bottas, who had been slowly catching Verstappen since the first round of pit stops, overtook him for second place on lap 66. The two cars battled through the remainder of the lap, with Verstappen briefly reclaiming the place, before Bottas overtook again on the following lap. Verstappen and ninth-placed Sainz then pitted with two laps remaining in attempts to claim the fastest lap of the race, both drivers having large enough gaps behind as to avoid losing positions. On the penultimate lap, Pérez attempted an overtake on Albon for fourth place at turn four. The cars made contact resulting in Pérez breaking his front wing. The 15-second gap behind Pérez then began to close as the damage caused him to fall back. Stroll, who had been close behind Ricciardo for almost 30 laps, made an overtake attempt for sixth place at turn three, running deep and causing both drivers to take to the runoff area. Stroll took the position and the move caused Ricciardo to fall to eighth place behind Norris. On the final lap, Norris passed Stroll for sixth place on the straight after turn three, before catching the ailing Pérez at the final corner to take fifth.<ref name="AutosportRace" /><ref name="F1COMRace" />

Hamilton took the chequered flag to claim his first victory of the season and the 85th of his career,<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 July 2020 |title=Hamilton back on top |url=https://www.voice-online.co.uk/sport/2020/07/12/hamilton-back-on-top/ |access-date=13 December 2025 |work=The Voice}}</ref> followed by Bottas and Verstappen to complete the podium, with Albon and Norris behind. Pérez, Stroll and Ricciardo crossed the finish line three-wide, separated by just over 0.2 seconds, but maintained those respective positions. Sainz finished ninth and claimed his first fastest lap in Formula One and the second consecutive fastest lap for McLaren. Sainz's fastest lap of 1:05 619 on lap 68 set a new race lap record for the circuit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PvMtT9z76U|title = DHL Fastest Lap Award: Formula 1 Pirelli Grosser Preis der Steiermark 2020 (Carlos Sainz / McLaren)|website = YouTube}}</ref> Daniil Kvyat claimed the final point in tenth place.<ref name="AutosportRace" /><ref name="F1COMRace" />

==== Post-race ==== Stroll was investigated by the race stewards for his penultimate-lap overtake on Ricciardo, however this was deemed a racing incident and no further action was taken. Ricciardo later described the move as "desperate" and stated that he expected Stroll to receive a penalty.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/f1/news/939396/1/ricciardo-desperate-stroll-deserved-penalty-f1-styrian-gp-move|title=Ricciardo: "Desperate" Stroll deserved penalty for F1 Styrian GP move|website=crash.net|first=Connor|last=McDonagh|date=12 July 2020|access-date=12 July 2020}}</ref> Leclerc apologised for causing the opening-lap collision with Vettel, remarking "I am just disappointed in myself. I've done a very bad job today. I let the team down." Vettel stated he was "very surprised" that Leclerc attempted the overtake, noting that the team had intended to assess the performance of the updates brought to the SF1000 for the race.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.i-let-the-team-down-says-leclerc-as-he-accepts-blame-for-first-lap-clash.hPccJAM8U7yKPBQgFB5hJ.html|title='I let the team down', says Leclerc as he accepts blame for first-lap clash with Vettel|website=formula1.com|date=12 July 2020|access-date=12 July 2020}}</ref>

After the race, Renault launched a formal protest to the stewards regarding the legality of the Racing Point RP20 and its alleged similarities to the previous season's Mercedes AMG F1 W10 EQ Power+.<ref name="protest">{{Cite web|date=12 July 2020|title=Renault launch protest regarding legality of Racing Point after Styrian GP|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-renault-launch-protest-regarding-legality-of-racing-point-after.wszVnnRRpFlLF5gaqqzPb.html|access-date=12 July 2020|website=formula1.com}}</ref>

=== Race classification === {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 85%;" ! scope="col" |{{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} ! scope="col" |{{Tooltip|No.|Car number}} ! scope="col" |Driver ! scope="col" |Constructor ! scope="col" class="unsortable"|{{Tooltip|Laps|Laps completed}} ! scope="col" class="unsortable"|Time/Retired ! scope="col" |{{Tooltip|Grid|Final grid position}} ! scope="col" |Points |- !1 | align="center" |44 |data-sort-value="ham"|'''{{flagicon|GBR}} Lewis Hamilton''' |'''Mercedes''' |71 |1:22:50.683 | align="center" |1 |align="center" |'''25''' |- !2 | align="center" |77 |data-sort-value="bot"|'''{{flagicon|FIN}} Valtteri Bottas''' |'''Mercedes''' |71 | +13.719 |align="center" |4 |align="center" |'''18''' |- !3 |align="center" |33 |data-sort-value="ver"|'''{{flagicon|NED}} Max Verstappen''' |'''Red Bull Racing-Honda''' |71 | +33.698 |align="center" |2 |align="center" |'''15''' |- !4 |align="center" |23 |data-sort-value="alb"|'''{{flagicon|THA}} Alexander Albon''' |'''Red Bull Racing-Honda''' |71 |<nowiki>+44.400</nowiki> |align="center" |6 |align="center" |'''12''' |- !5 |align="center" |4 |data-sort-value="nor"|'''{{flagicon|GBR}} Lando Norris''' |'''McLaren-Renault''' |71 |<nowiki>+1:01.470</nowiki> |align="center" |9 |align="center" |'''10''' |- !6 |align="center" |11 |data-sort-value=per"|'''{{flagicon|MEX}} Sergio Pérez''' |'''{{nowrap|Racing Point-BWT Mercedes}}''' |71 |<nowiki>+1:02.387</nowiki> |align="center" |17 |align="center" |'''8''' |- !7 |align="center" |18 |data-sort-value="str"|'''{{flagicon|CAN}} Lance Stroll''' |'''{{nowrap|Racing Point-BWT Mercedes}}''' |71 |<nowiki>+1:02.453</nowiki> |align="center" |12 |align="center" |'''6''' |- !8 |align="center" |3 |data-sort-value="ric"|'''{{flagicon|AUS}} Daniel Ricciardo''' |'''Renault''' |71 |<nowiki>+1:02.591</nowiki> |align="center" |8 |align="center" |'''4''' |- !9 |align="center" |55 |data-sort-value="sai"|'''{{flagicon|SPA}} Carlos Sainz Jr.''' |nowrap|'''McLaren-Renault''' |70 | +1 lap |align="center" |3 |align="center" |'''3{{ref|6|1}}''' |- !10 |align="center" |26 |data-sort-value="kvy"|'''{{flagicon|RUS}} Daniil Kvyat''' |nowrap|'''AlphaTauri-Honda''' |70 | +1 lap |align="center" |13 |align="center" |'''1''' |- !11 |align="center" |7 |data-sort-value="rai"|{{flagicon|FIN}} Kimi Räikkönen |Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari |70 | +1 lap |align="center" |16 | |- !12 |align="center" |20 |data-sort-value="mag"|{{flagicon|DEN}} Kevin Magnussen |Haas-Ferrari |70 | +1 lap |align="center" |15 | |- !13 |align="center" |8 |data-sort-value="gro"|{{flagicon|FRA}} Romain Grosjean |Haas-Ferrari |70 | +1 lap |align="center" data-sort-value="20" |{{abbr|PL|Pit lane}} | |- !14 |align="center" |99 |data-sort-value="gio"|{{nowrap|{{flagicon|ITA}} Antonio Giovinazzi}} |Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari |70 | +1 lap |align="center" |19 | |- !15 |align="center" |10 |data-sort-value="gas"|{{flagicon|FRA}} Pierre Gasly |AlphaTauri-Honda |70 | +1 lap |align="center" |7 | |- !16 |align="center" |63 |data-sort-value="rus"|{{flagicon|GBR}} George Russell |Williams-Mercedes |69 | +2 laps |align="center" |11 | |- !17 |align="center" |6 |data-sort-value="lat"|{{flagicon|CAN}} Nicholas Latifi |Williams-Mercedes |69 | +2 laps |align="center" |18 | |- !data-sort-value="18" | {{abbr|Ret|Retired}} |align="center" |31 |data-sort-value="oco"|{{flagicon|FRA}} Esteban Ocon |Renault |25 |Overheating |align="center" |5 | |- !data-sort-value="19" | {{abbr|Ret|Retired}} |align="center" |16 |data-sort-value="lec"|{{flagicon|MON}} Charles Leclerc |Ferrari |4 |{{Nowrap|Collision damage}} |align="center" |14 | |- !data-sort-value="20" | {{abbr|Ret|Retired}} |align="center" |5 |data-sort-value="vet"|{{flagicon|GER}} Sebastian Vettel |Ferrari |1 |Collision damage |align="center" |10 | |- class="sortbottom" |colspan="8" align="center"|''Fastest lap: {{flagicon|SPA}} Carlos Sainz Jr. (McLaren-Renault) – 1:05.619 (lap 68)'' |- !colspan="8"|Source:<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2020/races/1046/austria/race-result.html|title=Formula 1 Pirelli Grosser Preis der Steiermark 2020 – Race Result|website=Formula1.com|date=12 July 2020|access-date=12 July 2020}}</ref> |}

==== Notes ==== * {{note|6|1}} – Includes one point for fastest lap.<ref name=":0" />

==Championship standings after the race== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} ;Drivers' Championship standings {|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 85%;" ! scope="col" | ! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} ! scope="col" | Driver ! scope="col" | Points |- |align="left"| 10px |align="center"|1 |data-sort-value="bot"|{{flagicon|FIN}} Valtteri Bottas |align="left"|43 |- |align="left"| 10px 2 |align="center"|2 |data-sort-value="ham"|{{flagicon|GBR}} Lewis Hamilton |align="left"|37 |- |align="left"| 10px |align="center"|3 |data-sort-value="nor"|{{flagicon|GBR}} Lando Norris |align="left"|26 |- |align="left"| 10px 2 |align="center"|4 |data-sort-value="lec"|{{flagicon|MON}} Charles Leclerc |align="left"|18 |- |align="left"| 10px 1 |align="center"|5 |data-sort-value="per"|{{flagicon|MEX}} Sergio Pérez |align="left"|16 |- !colspan=4|Source:<ref name=chm>{{cite web|url= https://www.statsf1.com/en/2020/styrie/championnat.aspx|title=Styria 2020 – Championship|date=12 July 2020|access-date=12 July 2020|website=StatsF1}}</ref> |} {{col-2}} ;Constructors' Championship standings {|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 85%;" ! scope="col" | ! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} ! scope="col" | Constructor ! scope="col" | Points |- |align="left"| 10px |align="center"|1 |{{flagicon|GER}} Mercedes |align="left"|80 |- |align="left"| 10px |align="center"|2 |{{flagicon|GBR}} McLaren-Renault |align="left"|39 |- |align="left"| 10px 6 |align="center"|3 |{{flagicon|AUT}} Red Bull Racing-Honda |align="left"|27 |- |align="left"| 10px |align="center"|4 |{{flagicon|GBR}} {{nowrap|Racing Point-BWT Mercedes}} |align="left"|22 |- |align="left"| 10px 2 |align="center"|5 |{{flagicon|ITA}} Ferrari |align="left"|19 |- !colspan=4|Source:<ref name=chm/> |} {{col-end}}

* '''Note''': Only the top five positions are included for both sets of standings, which are accurate as of final declaration of results.

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links==

{{F1 race report | Name_of_race = Styrian Grand Prix | Year_of_race = 2020 | Previous_race_in_season = 2020 Austrian Grand Prix | Next_race_in_season = 2020 Hungarian Grand Prix | Previous_year's_race = ''N/A'' | Next_year's_race = 2021 Styrian Grand Prix }}

Styrian Styrian Grand Prix Styrian Grand Prix Category:Styrian Grand Prix