The dynamic F1 has been missing for a decade
Although the Lewis Hamilton versus Sebastian Vettel rivalry has given us plenty of entertainment in recent years, Formula 1 hasn't had a true title decider since Nico Rosberg's departure at the end of 2016. It's been a whole decade since more than two teams took the fight down to the wire, so 2020 - if it ever gets underway - has a lot to live up to
There's something special about a title fight going down to the wire in any league or points-gathering-based sport. It piles on the drama, the pressure, the climactic imagery. Such scenarios speak to our urge for things to be as good as they possibly can.
Some sports - American leagues especially - cap their regular seasons with playoff competitions to guarantee finale drama, something NASCAR adopted in 2004 with 'The Chase', which became its own playoffs in 2016.
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Alex Kalinauckas is Autosport's Grand Prix Editor, covering every Formula 1 race since the start of 2020. After completing a master's degree in journalism at Goldsmiths College University of London in 2014, he worked for a range of motorsport and technology publications while covering national racing as an Autosport freelancer.
A lifelong motorsport fan - no one in his family can explain quite how or why such a development first occurred - Alex joined the Autosport staff in April 2017 as the magazine’s Assistant Editor covering Formula 2 and GP3, before being made Formula E correspondent and Autosport.com’s Plus Editor in March 2018. He lives in north-east London and is constantly frustrated by the Central Line.
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