It’s safe to say 2020 has been a year which has tested us all in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic which has gripped the world.
Just as motorsport geared itself up into high gear, the pandemic swiftly shut down preparations, even mere hours before some events took place in the case of Formula 1 and IndyCar.
However, through monumental efforts of the respective governing bodies and sporting organisations, motorsport was permitted to get underway – albeit under much different circumstances than usual.
Despite the changes, we were still treated to a phenomenal year of racing which gave us countless thrills, spills and even last-minute substitute appearances. Records were broken and new champions were made!
Here are some of the defining images the world of motorsport has brought us in 2020!
The remains of Ott Tanak’s destroyed Hyundai i20 in January’s Monte Carlo Rally The big one in February’s Daytona 500 (L to R): Michael Masi (AUS) FIA Race Director; Andrew Wesatcott (AUS) Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chief Executive Officer; Paul Little (AUS) Chair of Australian Grand Prix Corporation; and Chase Carey (USA) Formula One Group Chairman, at an outdoor press conference following the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix.
Australian Grand Prix, Friday 13th March 2020. Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia. Marc Marquez’s MotoGP World Championship season ended after just one race due to a severe arm injury in Jerez, Spain. The World Champion has had to undergo several operations as he bids to recover for the 2021 campaign Some of the drivers take a knee on the grid, all wearing ‘End Racism’ T-shirts.
Austrian Grand Prix, Sunday 5th July 2020. Spielberg, Austria. Franco Morbidelli lies on the ground following a violent crash at the MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix Maverick Vinales attempts to duck underneath the obliterated wreckage of Johann Zarco’s Avintia Ducati The shattered remains of Morbidelli’s and Zarco’s MotoGP bikes Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Racing Point F1 Team.
British Grand Prix, Friday 31st July 2020. Silverstone, England. Third placed Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Racing Point F1 Team RP20 in qualifying parc ferme.
70th Anniversary Grand Prix, Saturday 8th August 2020. Silverstone, England. Race winner Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W11 in parc ferme with a puncture.
British Grand Prix, Sunday 2nd August 2020. Silverstone, England. Brad Binder’s KTM team celebrate during MotoGP World Championship in Brno, Czech Republic on August 9, 2020. Antonio Felix da Costa (PRT), DS Techeetah, DS E-Tense FE20, 1st position, Maximilian Günther (DEU), BMW I Andretti Motorsports, 2nd position, and Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA), DS Techeetah, DS E-Tense FE20, 3rd position The season finally got back underway with a six races in Berlin following the pandemic shutdown Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA), DS Techeetah and Antonio Félix da Costa (PRT), DS Techeetah celebrate with team Sodden event at the IMSA round at Road America, #7 Acura Team Penske Acura DPi, Helio Castroneves, Ricky Taylor, ©2020, Peter Burke Miguel Oliveira claims Tech3s first win in 20 years at the MotoGP World Championship in Spielberg, Austria on August 23, 2020. Colton Herta clashes with Rinus Veekay demonstrating the strength of the new aeroscreen at Iowa Speedway #38 JOTA / GRB / Oreca 07 – Gibson – Total 6 hours of Spa Francorchamps – Spa Francorchamps – Stavelot – Belgium – Race winner Pierre Gasly (FRA) AlphaTauri celebrates on the podium.
Italian Grand Prix, Sunday 6th September 2020. Monza Italy. Oscar Piastri (AUS) PREMA Racing – F3 champion, celebrates in parc ferme.
Tuscan Grand Prix, Sunday 13th September 2020. Mugello Italy. Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA) Alfa Romeo Racing C39 crashed out of the race, as did Kevin Magnussen (DEN) Haas VF-20 and Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) McLaren MCL35.
Tuscan Grand Prix, Sunday 13th September 2020. Mugello Italy. Big Crash at the Indy 500 involving Conor Daly and Oliver Askew Takuma Sato celebrates a second career Indianapolis 500 victory Philip Hanson (GBR) / Filipe Albuquerque (POR) / Paul di Resta (GBR) #22 United Autosports Oreca 07 – Gibson.
FIA World Endurance Championship, Le Mans 24 Hours, Race, Saturday 19th September 2020. Le Mans, France. 2019 / 2020 FIA World Endurance Championship
Le Mans, France
17th – 20th September 2020
Photo: Nick Dungan / Drew Gibson Photography #8 TOYOTA GAZOO RACING / JPN / Toyota TS050 – Hybrid – Hybrid – 24h of Le Mans – Circuit de la Sarthe – Le Mans – France – Marshals clear the seared remains of Luca Ghiotto’s Hitech in Sochi Jack Aitken’s car is removed from the Turn 3 barrier in Sochi after clashing with Ghiotto Elfyn Evans (GB) and Scott Martin (GB) of team Toyota Yaris WRC Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT perform at the shakedown during the World Rally Championship Turkey in Marmaris, Turkey on September 18, 2020 // Mahmut Cinci Race winner Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 is presented with the helmet of Michael Schumacher (GER) by Mick Schumacher (GER) in parc ferme after equalling the record for the number of F1 victories. Eifel Grand Prix, Sunday 11th October 2020. Nurbugring, Germany. Scott Dixon claims a sixth IndyCar title at the season finale in St.Petersburg, Florida Rene Rast (GER) (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
08.11.2020, DTM Round 9, Hockenheim, Germany, Sunday. Toyota claims another WEC title with the TS050 Chase Elliot claimed his first NASCAR Cup Series title (Photo by Jim Fluharty/HHP for Chevy Racing) Lance Stroll (CDN) Racing Point F1 Team celebrates his pole position in qualifying parc ferme.
Turkish Grand Prix, Saturday 14th November 2020. Istanbul, Turkey. Race winner and World Champion celebrates with the team.
Turkish Grand Prix, Sunday 15th November 2020. Istanbul, Turkey. #77 Mazda Team Joest Mazda DPi: Oliver Jarvis left distraught after retiring minutes before the end of the Sebring 12hr Suzuki’s Joan Mir is crowned 2020 MotoGP Champion Marshals put out the fire of Romain Grosjean (FRA) Haas F1 Team at the start of the race, with Dr Ian Roberts (GBR) FIA Doctor (Left). Bahrain Grand Prix, Sunday 29th November 2020. Sakhir, Bahrain. Romain Grosjean (FRA) Haas F1 Team is put into the ambulance by Dr Ian Roberts (GBR) FIA Doctor and Alan Van Der Merwe (RSA) FIA Medical Car Driver. Bahrain Grand Prix, Sunday 29th November 2020. Sakhir, Bahrain. The heavily damaged Haas F1 Team VF-20 of Romain Grosjean (FRA) Haas F1 Team after crashed at the start of the race and exploded into flames, destroying the armco barrier.
Bahrain Grand Prix, Sunday 29th November 2020. Sakhir, Bahrain. Mick Schumacher (GER) PREMA Racing. 06.12.2020. FIA Formula 2 Championship, Rd 12, Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W11.
Sakhir Grand Prix, Sunday 6th December 2020. Sakhir, Bahrain. Race winner Sergio Perez (MEX) Racing Point F1 Team celebrates in parc ferme.
Sakhir Grand Prix, Sunday 6th December 2020. Sakhir, Bahrain. Mick Schumacher (GER) celebrates winning the F2 Championship.
Sakhir Grand Prix, Sunday 6th December 2020. Sakhir, Bahrain. Oscar Piastri (AUS) PREMA Racing celebrates winning the 2020 FIA Formula 3 Championship. 06.12.2020. FIA Formula 3 Championship Prize Giving Ceremony, Sakhir, Bahrain, In December, Sebastien Ogier claimed a seventh WRC crown with Toyota
