Formula 1 Starts Again, Hamilton's Target Remains The Same: Make A Record!

Lewis Hamilton (Instagram @lewishamilton)

JAKARTA - This year's Formula 1 will start its race this weekend after nearly four months of delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For Lewis Hamilton, the target this season remains the same, namely to win a seventh title to match Michael Schumacher's record.

Hamilton, who needs seven more wins to match Schumacher's record 91 times, is expecting an even faster Mercedes this year.

"We are preparing as best we can for what will be the most difficult season in Formula 1 and which we have all felt," said Hamilton.

Mercedes itself is eyeing dominance in the era of the V6 turbo hybrid engine by becoming the best constructor for seven consecutive years.

Mercedes has also launched a new livery, this time wrapped in black, replacing their signature silver color, as part of their campaign against racism and promoting diversity throughout this season.

🙌🏾 https://t.co/8GE4K3UwRK

- Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) June 29, 2020

The Austrian Grand Prix is also the stage for F1 to introduce an initiative titled #WeRaceAsOne as their commitment to fighting racism.

This will be the first time for Austria to host the opening series at the Red Bull Ring circuit, which will take place in the following week a second series.

The track, which has a mountainous backdrop in Spielberg, will also be the first circuit to hold two F1 Grand Prix in the same season.

It's not clear how many Grand Prix will take place this year at a time when seven circuits have withdrawn from the calendar.

With eight starting races, all of which are in Europe, F1 is looking to stage a 15-18 series this year, even if that means several circuits having two races apiece.