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Why hopes of a dramatic F1 title battle may rest on a so far unbreakable relationship

Valtteri Bottas stole an early march on Lewis Hamilton in the 2020 title battle with his Austria win, where Mercedes looked untouchable in 'normal' conditions. Here's how the title fight may be twisted by Formula 1's compacted calendar

Lewis Hamilton had set the practice pace, but things had turned around by the time the first Q3 laps had been completed, with his team-mate now heading the times. One final effort coming up - maximum attack, maximum pressure.

The Mercedes flew through the first sector, rapid as ever, but early in the second sector things went suddenly wrong. It was off the track, the yellow flags flying. Hamilton came across the incident and could not improve his time.

Previous article Mercedes: Gearbox fix before F1 Styrian Grand Prix a "complex problem"
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