Tuscan Grand Prix Preview: What to expect as Formula One heads to Mugello

Formula One heads to Mugello for the first time in its 70-year history this weekend – with the ten teams set to face new challenges on the Tuscan circuit.

While racing in Italy is synonymous with Formula One – with Monza hosting 70 Grand Prix, Imola 27, along with a solitary visit to Pescara – yet Mugello has never made it to the calendar.

The 5.245km circuit is located in Scarperia, Tuscany, and has 15 corners – some of which are engrossed in motorsport folklore.

The most famous of those corners are the daunting Arrabbiata 1 and 2 (Turns 7, 8, and 9) – these are expected to be almost flat out in a contemporary Formula One car.

Due to these challenging corners the track is loved by all the drivers – with Mark Webber lauding it following F1’s most recent visit to Tuscany at an in season test in 2012.

Mugello’s remarkable high-speed corners should highlight the incredible aerodynamic performance of modern cars – in particular the incredible Mercedes W11.

Pirelli has also brought the hardest tyres in their range to Mugello – with the high-speed corners and lack of data from the Italian circuit causing Pirelli to be cautious.

The race also marks Ferrari’s 1000th race in the sport – therefore all eyes will be in the Maranello marque as they aim to bounce back from a double ‘DNF’ at Monza.

The Scuderia has also unveiled a new ‘retro’ livery ahead of the race – however, the main talking point going into the race is surrounding their driver – as Sebastian Vettel was announced as an Aston Martin driver for the 2021 season.

On the track, all eyes will be on Alex Albon and Red Bull.

The London-born Thai driver has struggled to find his best form at the Milton-Keynes outfit and has just seen Pierre Gasly take a remarkable victory at Monza in the junior team; Alpha Tauri.

Gasly will surely be eyeing up a promotion and will look to apply even more pressure on Albon as F1 heads to Tuscany.

The title battle also rages on with Lewis Hamilton aiming to extend his championship lead as he looks to equal Michael Schumacher’s seven world titles.

The British driver can also go one away from the German’s all-time win record if he crosses the line first at Mugello – for what could be his 90th Grand Prix win.

Tuscan Grand Prix schedule

Friday 11 September

10:00 BST / 11:00 Local Time – Free Practice One

14:00 BST / 15:00 Local Time – Free Practice Two

Saturday 12 September

11:00 BST / 12:00 Local Time – Free Practice Three

14:00 BST / 15:00 Local Time – Qualifying

Sunday 13 September

14:10 BST / 15:10 Local Time – Race