Formula 1: 70th Anniversary 2020: Timetables, favourites and where to watch the race live

Formula 1 is coming to its most special race this coming weekend at Silverstone. The 70th Anniversary Grand Prix will serve to commemorate seven decades of Formula 1’s existence. To make a second test at Silverstone, where we had a memorable ending just a few days ago.

Mercedes is starting as a big favourite, based on what we saw in Britain. One lap away they are unreachable, but in race pace, they are also very fast. Especially they were even keeping tyres in many turns. The tyres will be Mercedes’ greatest enemies to avoid another double.

Lewis Hamilton is starting as the excellent favourite for victory in the 70th. Silverstone well adapted to black arrows, but the big question is what will happen in the battle between its drivers. Valtteri Bottas is 30 points behind the misfortune. He suffered at the British event, from which Lewis Hamilton escaped, crossing the finish line with a flat tyre. But Bottas is close enough in qualifying to turn the tables.

Unless Bottas gets his act together, the excitement will be back behind the Mercedes. Well, more like behind Max Verstappen, because the Dutchman from Red Bull seems to be in a kind of limbo at Silverstone between the German cars and the rest of the grid. At least in Britain, nobody discussed his podium.

But behind it is the jungle. His teammate, Alexander Albon, is not quite ready to get going, and his seat is getting more and more disputed. In Britain, he scored a miracle while Pierre Gasly, whom he replaced in his day, is doing well at Alpha Tauri. We’ll see if Red Bull doesn’t opt to undo the changeover.

Racing Point was a big disappointment. Lance Stroll made a lousy weekend, while Nico Hulkenberg couldn’t even get into the race. In principle, the German should continue with Sergio Perez’ retirement, so if he adapts a bit more, he could be the team’s primary asset to take advantage of the great car they have finally.

And Ferrari, better than expected. At least Charles Leclerc. In Maranello, they expected a real disaster at Silverstone, but they escaped with an unsuspected podium. It’s probably too ambitious a target if there isn’t too much chaos, but they may be in the top five. That’s right, Leclerc because Sebastian Vettel is lost.

McLaren and Renault will be on the lookout for Ferrari. Both brands were very evenly matched in the first race, the best oranges just a lap away, and the yellow ones are struggling with the race pace. The goal for both will be to overtake Leclerc, keep Racing Point behind and get to the top of the podium contenders’ queue if one of the untouchables fails.