F1 News
2020 was the season of red flags: Were there ever so many in one season?
As if the 2020 season was not chaotic enough with the effects of the coronavirus still being felt, there were no less than four red flag incidents last season. While this is not unprecedented in Formula 1, it is a long time since a Grand Prix was stopped four times in one season. It has not happened that often since 1995.
The first red flag of the season was waved at the Italian Grand Prix. On the Monza circuit, Charles Leclerc slid his Ferrari into the tyre pile just after the safety car ended. The following weekend, the same thing happened again. A chaotic restart after the safety car caused a big pile-up on the Mugello straight involving Carlos Sainz, Nicholas Latifi, Kevin Magnussen and Antonio Giovinazzi.
The red flag even fell for a second time at Mugello, when Lance Stroll disappeared into the tyre pile after suffering a puncture. The fourth time the season was halted in the 2020 season is, of course, the horror crash of Romain Grosjean, which will be fresh in the minds of the Formula 1 viewing public.
First time in 25 years
The last time the red flag was waved four times in a season was 25 years ago in 1995. The first stoppage of a Grand Prix this season took place in Argentina. Here, a huge chain collision settled the race of ten drivers, including Jean Alesi, Rubens Barrichello and Johnny Herbert. However, the crash meant a DNF for only one driver, as the rest still had a spare car at their disposal. One of the cars involved could also be repaired on the spot.
The second red flag fell at Monaco, after a crash involving David Coulthard, Gerhard Berger, and Ferrari driver Jean Alesi left havoc on the track. In 1995, the same happened at Monza. On the first lap there was a collision between five drivers, whose cars then blocked the track.
At the Portuguese Grand Prix, the red flag was waved for the fourth time. Here a collision with the Minardi of Luca Badoer caused Ukyo Katayama to swing into the air and spin several times. Katayama spent two days in hospital, unconscious.
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