Formula 1: Hamilton dominant as season heads towards Silverstone double – all the actions on DStv

SuperSport viewers on DStv have enjoyed a thrill ride in the 2020 Formula 1 season thus far, with the fastest sport in the world holding three rounds since its resumption earlier this month.

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So far, the ‘Silver Arrows’ of Mercedes have been the dominant force, claiming three victories: Valtteri Bottas took the chequered flag in the opening Austrian Grand Prix on 5 July, with world champion Lewis Hamilton only managing a fourth-place finish after he was hit with a penalty for a collision with Red Bull’s Alexander Albon.

However, Hamilton has come storming back strongly: he won the inaugural Styrian Grand Prix (the second successive race held at the Red Bull Ring in Speilberg) on 12 July and followed it up with victory this past weekend at the Hungarian Grand Prix (where he became the second driver, after Michael Schumacher, to win a single event a record eight times in his career).

This sees Hamilton enjoying a five-point lead at the top of the drivers’ championship over teammate Bottas (with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen a distant third) and Mercedes have an enormous 66-point advantage over Red Bull in the constructors’ championship.

epa08553660 A handout photo made available by the FIA shows Finnish Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes AMG GP in action during the qualifying session of the Formula One Grand Prix of Hungary in Mogyorod, Hungary, 18 July 2020. EPA/FIA/F1 HANDOUT SHUTTERSTOCK OUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES *** Local Caption *** BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – JULY 18: Nicholas Latifi of Canada driving the (6) Williams Racing FW43 Mercedes on track during final practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on July 18, 2020 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

The disappointment of the season thus far has been Ferrari, with the ‘Prancing Horse’ lacking both straight line and corner speed compared to the front runners – hence their lowly fifth place on the constructors’ championship thus far.

The 2020 season now heads into a double at the legendary Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire, England – the British Grand Prix will be held on Sunday 2 August, and the 70^th Anniversary Grand Prix (celebrating Silverstone holding the first F1 GP championship race in May 1950) will be staged a week later on Sunday 9 August.

Hamilton, given his brilliant form in the past two races, is expected to stretch his lead at the top of the drivers’ championship – though he admits racing without the support of the British public (the races will be behind closed doors at Silverstone) will be a regret.

“I love Silverstone but I’ve got to say that’s [racing without a crowd] something that’s bugging me a little bit,” Hamilton explained “It’s the highlight of the year, the support is insane.

“It grows every year and I get to interact with the fans differently on that weekend and it’s such an honour and privilege to be able to perform well and win a Grand Prix in your home country.

epa08555115 A handout photo made available by the FIA shows sthird placed Finnish Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes AMG GP addressing to media after the Formula One Grand Prix of Hungary in Mogyorod, Hungary, 19 July 2020. EPA/FIA/F1 HANDOUT SHUTTERSTOCK OUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES *** Local Caption *** BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – JULY 18: Nicholas Latifi of Canada driving the (6) Williams Racing FW43 Mercedes on track during final practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on July 18, 2020 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

“It feels great to be out there once you’re in the zone, but I do really miss the energy they bring. There’s nothing like it. I don’t have a lot of years left and that’s going to be one year that I miss all the fans.

“But I do want them to stay safe and we are in that period where safety is everything. So, I hope I can perform well for them there because I know they will be watching.”