Formula One action came from Bahrain at the weekend, which was overshadowed by the fireball accident involving Romain Grosjean. Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Alex Albon made up the podium after Sergio Perez suffered late heartbreak with his car breaking down.
Grosjean survives firey 137mph crash
Romain Grosjean was involved in one of the worst crashes in recent memory when his car split in half and exploded into flames.
The French driver suffered burns to his hands and ankles but is otherwise okay. He was very lucky but the actions of Grosjean, Medical Car driver Alan van der Merwe, Dr Ian Roberts and the Marshals ensured that he was able to walk away from the fiery scene.
Grosjean is currently in hospital but is expected to be discharged on Tuesday (1st December 2020) but will not be present for the second race around Bahrain next weekend. He will be replaced by Pietro Fittipaldi, the HAAS Test driver, who will be making his F1 debut.
Perez waiting on Red Bull but has options for 2022
Sergio Perez is currently without a seat for the 2021 season but is waiting on Red Bull to make a decision on Alex Albon to see if he will remain on the grid next season.
The Mexican driver said in a press conference that he would take a sabbatical in 2021 if he doesn’t get the Red Bull drive, but has said that he has options to be on the grid in 2022 if a project out there excites him.
It will be a shame if the two-time podium finisher isn’t on the grid next season, but Albon has stepped up in recent races and will be giving Red Bull a headache when they are making their final decision.
Hamilton doesn’t take it easy despite winning the title
Lewis Hamilton has extended his record for race wins to 95 after winning the Bahrain Grand Prix. The race ended behind the safety car, but the seven-time World Champion had enough of a gap to comfortably see out the race otherwise.
The British driver is still to open contract talks with Mercedes, and while it is widely expected that he will sign on the dotted line again, he showed his worth yet again to the German outfit.
Hamilton recorded a positive COVID-19 test after the Bahrain Grand Prix and will now enter a period of isolation. This means that Mercedes is without a driver for next weekend and possibly the season finale in Abu Dhabi as well. Williams’ George Russell may finally get an opportunity to race the W11, but Stoffel Vandoorne is being flown out to Bahrain after his Formula E testing duties conclude. We will just have to wait and see who Mercedes choose as their replacement driver.