BRITISH GRAND PRIX - 31 July to 2 August

The Independent 31 July 2020 - by Jack de Menezes

© Provided by The Independent

The fourth round of the 2020 

One of the crown jewels on the calendar, F1 returns to where it all began at the Northamptonshire circuit as 

The fast, sweeping Silverstone is track is likely to suit the style of this year’s Mercedes engine, meaning a long weekend could be in store for Red Bull and Ferrari, the latter of which is likely to really suffer due to the deficit in their power unit this season that could result in more hard times for 

It could mean that Mercedes’ nearest competitors prove to be Racing Point, though news rocked the paddock late on Thursday night after their driver 

Here’s everything you need to know about the British Grand Prix.

When is it?

The British Grand Prix takes place across 31 July - 2 August 2020.

What time does each session start?

FRIDAY

Free practice 1: 11am – 12:30pm BST

Free practice 2: 3pm – 4:30pm BST

SATURDAY

Free practice 3: 11am – 12pm BST

Qualifying: 2pm – 3pm BST

SUNDAY

Race: 2:10pm – 4:10pm BST

How can I watch it?

All European races will be held behind closed doors, meaning that the only way fans will be able to see the action is on television.

In the UK, Sky Sports continue to hold the exclusive rights for 

Here’s how Sky and Channel 4 plan to show the British Grand Prix:

FRIDAY

Free practice 1: 10:30am – 12:50am BST – (Sky Sports F1 + Sky Sports Main Event), 10:55am - 12:35pm BST (Channel 4)

Free practice 2: 2:45pm – 4:45pm BST (Sky Sports F1 + Sky Sports Main Event), 2:35pm - 4:35pm BST (Channel 4)

SATURDAY

Free practice 3: 10:45am – 12:10pm BST (Sky Sports F1 + Sky One), 10:55am - 12pm BST (Channel 4)

Qualifying: 1pm – 3:35pm BST (Sky Sports F1 + Sky One), 1pm - 4pm BST (Channel 4)

SUNDAY

Race: 12:30pm – 5pm BST (Sky Sports F1, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky One), 1pm - 6pm BST (Channel 4)

Highlights: 6:30pm - 7:30pm BST (Sky Sports F1 + Sky One), 11:45pm - 12:45am BST (Channel 4)

Drier changes

With Sergio Perez ruled out of action, Racing Point will have to make a decision on who to replace the Mexican with as they intend on racing two cars this weekend. Esteban Gutierrez is one option, with the Mercedes reserve driver the allocated back-up for Racing Point this weekend as Stoffel Vandoorne is unavailable. But Gutierrez has not raced an F1 car since leaving Alfa Romeo (formerly Sauber) at the end of 2014.

A more recent and likely option is