From ‘French Clowns’ to Ricciardo’s Threat, Funniest F1 Moments of the 2020 Season

The 2020 F1 season was one of the strangest we’ve had in a long time. The COVID-affected season was packed with novelty and surprises. From Ferrari woes to Russell’s impressive debut with Mercedes to new race winners, the 17-race season was truly entertaining.

With 2020 wrapped up, we look back at the five funniest moments from the season.

5. Toto Wolff calls out the F1 clowns next to him

During the Britain 70th Anniversary Grand Prix press conference, Toto Wolff was distracted by Alfa Romeo and Renault‘s bosses while responding to a question regarding Hamilton‘s contract renewal. He then answered the question and called out his French counterparts.

“No, not at all,” he replied when asked whether he was in a hurry to get the contract renewed with Hamilton. He then turned his attention to Frederic Vasseur and Cyril Abiteboul and said, “You have sat the two French clowns next to me and they keep interrupting and distracting.”

4. Max Verstappen steal the F1 chair after qualifying P3 at the Sakhir GP

After Qualifying P3 at the Sakhir Grand Prix, Verstappen joked that about consistently qualifying at P3 all season. He said, “Used to sit in this chair, it might actually have my prints. At the end of the season, I’m gonna take this seat home.”

True to his promise, the Red Bull driver did take the seat home during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton qualified at P3 that weekend and they soon reminded the Dutch driver that they’d need the chair back.

Verstappen finished the season with a comfortable win in Abu Dhabi and stood P3 at the drivers’ standing.

3. George Russell’s hilarious prediction about Lando Norris

At the beginning of the 2020 F1 season, the drivers recorded their prediction and looked back at it once the season wrapped up. George Russell read out his hilarious prediction about Lando Norris after the season ended.

“Lando hits puberty,” read out the Williams driver. As the interviewer comments on the prediction, “the first one is debatable.”

2. Sebastian Vettel breaks into a popular song

During Free Practice 2 at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel spotted a dog on the circuit. It doesn’t take much for the German to break into a song over the team radio, and this view was enough for the Ferrari driver.

He spotted the dog for the team and said, “Or should we say, who let the dogs out, woof woof woof!” The dog was taken away from the circuit safely as the commentators admired Sebastian‘s singing.

1. Daniel Ricciardo’s threat to Lando Norris

In the middle of Jenson Button’s interview with Daniel Ricciardo at the British GP, the Australian had a few words for Lando Norris. Young Britain stood next to Ricciardo as the Honey Badger laid out some threatening words for his future teammate.

“I will end you!” said the Australian. The conversation led to an overtake that Ricciardo made on Norris. The Briton claimed he was busy with his steering wheel as the Honey Badger continued, “Kids mate, kids. Too busy playing with their video games I tell you.” 

As the season ended, a lot of drivers bid goodbye to their teams. The 2021 season is only three months away and will see many new driving pairs. We hope for another interesting and entertaining season as 2021 kicks off in Australia on March 21.