The 2020 Formula One season will begin this week in Austria, almost four months later than planned due to the coronavirus pandemic and with a very different backdrop, although Lewis Hamilton's goals remain the same.
The six-time world champion can equal Ferrari idol Michael Schumacher's seven titles, while his Mercedes team will seek an unprecedented seventh double in the drivers' and constructors' categories.
The British driver, who has used his profile to campaign for greater diversity in sport and against racism, is eager to compete but is aware that he faces new and unexpected challenges.
"We are preparing ourselves in the best possible way for what is going to be the most difficult season Formula One or any of us have experienced," said the 35-year-old driver in a Mercedes video.
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Since the traditional season opener in Australia was cancelled in March, Formula One has agreed to changes to help teams hit by COVID-19. There have also been driver changes for 2021, such as Sebastian Vettel's departure from Ferrari at the end of the year.
There is also uncertainty about how many races will be held, as seven have been canceled and it is likely that more will be suspended. The provisional calendar includes eight races, all in Europe and for the first time without spectators, but organizers still hope to complete between 15 and 18 events, even if some circuits have to host two each.
Austria will open the season for the first time at the picturesque Spielberg Red Bull Ring, and the following weekend will mark another milestone as the circuit becomes the first to host two Formula One races in the same year.
This could be good news for Max Verstappen, who has clinched victory at Red Bull's home race in the last two years, but it remains to be seen how competitive the teams are, as they have not tested their cars since the February tests and have not competed since December.
Hamilton, who needs seven wins to equal Schumacher's 91, should have the fastest car based on what was seen in March in Australia, but his rivals have been able to make improvements during these months.
Vettel, a four-time world champion, has an uncertain future and will seek to leave Ferrari on a high note. Carlos Sainz will take over the German's seat alongside Charles Leclerc in 2021, and Australian Daniel Ricciardo will leave Renault to replace the Spaniard. (D)