Season snapshot · 2020
Source: Jolpica F1 API- WDC finish
- P3
- Wins
- 2
- Podiums
- 11
- Points
- 214
- DNFs
- 5
- Constructor
- Red Bull Racing
Race-by-race
| Race | Grid | Finish | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austrian | P2 | Electronics | 0 |
| Styrian | P2 | P3 | 15 |
| Hungarian | P7 | P2 | 18 |
| British | P3 | P2 | 19 |
| 70th Anniversary | P4 | P1 | 25 |
| Spanish | P3 | P2 | 18 |
| Belgian | P3 | P3 | 15 |
| Italian | P5 | Power unit | 0 |
| Tuscan | P3 | Collision | 0 |
| Russian | P2 | P2 | 18 |
| Eifel | P3 | P2 | 19 |
| Portuguese | P3 | P3 | 15 |
| Emilia Romagna | P3 | Puncture | 0 |
| Turkish | P2 | P6 | 8 |
| Bahrain | P3 | P2 | 19 |
| Sakhir | P3 | Collision | 0 |
| Abu Dhabi | P1 | P1 | 25 |
Max Verstappen's 2020 Formula 1 season was defined by his consistent ability to extract maximum performance from the Red Bull RB16, often challenging the dominant Mercedes W11 despite its inherent pace advantage.
Going in
Entering the 2020 season, the landscape of Formula 1 was firmly established: the turbo-hybrid era, which began in 2014, had seen Mercedes Grand Prix dominate the Constructors' and Drivers' Championships. Red Bull Racing, with Verstappen at the helm, was widely considered the closest challenger. The season itself was unprecedented, condensed into 17 races due to the global pandemic, leading to multiple double-headers at familiar circuits. This unique calendar placed a premium on consistency and adaptability, testing teams and drivers under intense conditions. Verstappen, already a multi-race winner, was expected to lead Red Bull's charge, aiming to capitalize on any opportunity presented by the superior Mercedes package.
How it played out
Verstappen's season began with an unfortunate DNF due to electronics at the Austrian Grand Prix. However, he quickly rebounded, securing a third-place finish at the Styrian Grand Prix the following week. His first victory of the season came at the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone, a strategic masterclass that saw him manage tires better than the Mercedes drivers on a hot track. Throughout the year, Verstappen consistently placed his Red Bull on the podium, achieving 11 podium finishes in total. He finished the season in 3rd position in the Drivers' Championship with 214 points. While a significant achievement, it underscored the gap to Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas finishing first and second respectively. His teammate, Alexander Albon — 2022 season, struggled to match Verstappen's pace, a trend that continued into Alexander Albon — 2023 season, highlighting Verstappen's ability to maximize the car's potential. Verstappen's season was also marked by five DNFs, including power unit failure at Monza, collisions at Mugello and Sakhir, and a puncture at Imola, often while running in strong positions. These incidents prevented him from accumulating more points and further challenging the Mercedes duo.