F1: Behind the Action (Formula 1)
Formula 1

F1: Behind the Action

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As the eyes on F1 turn towards another race weekend in Italy, a lot of notable things have happened since the last race. So before the grid goes green tomorrow, get caught up with the news you need.

Gasly Out After Q1

Scuderia AlphaTauri AT01 Formula 1 Car Reveal and Team Launch; Red Bull Hanger 7; Salzburg, Austria; February 14, 2020; Photo: Tyler Tate/T Squared Sports Media

After a historical win for Alpha Tauri last week, Pierre Gasly could not carry the momentum into this weekend and failed to continue qualification to the pole position and exited in 16th after the first qualification drive.

Hamilton on the Pole

In an absolute battle with his teammate Valtteri Bottas, Lewis Hamilton is on the pole once again in his pole at the Mugello track. Hamilton bested his teammate by a breathtaking 0.059 seconds. Red Bull teammates Verstappen and Albon run in row 2 right behind the Mercedes drivers.

 Formula 1 and Topps sign deal for collectible cards and sticker albums 

F1 trading cards! This is awesome. In a lot of ways, we wish this happened earlier. Could you imagine holding onto a few rookie cards from drivers in the past? The partnership will see a range of physical and digital collections featuring all 20 drivers and ten teams in the 2020 season, as well as commemorating the sportโ€™s most iconic drivers, teams and moments, with collectible items available to suit fans of all ages. Some collections will also feature all drivers and teams from the FIA Formula 2 Championship, as we celebrate the next generation of F1 stars. 

Heineken brings Italian balcony performers together for F1ยฎ Italian Grand Prix performance

Heineken continues itโ€™s season long quest to make F1 about the fans again. After treating frontline workers to a drive in race experience earlier in the year, Heineken wanted to give home heroes in Italy a special weekend.

Six musicians, made famous for their uplifting performances from rooftops and balconies across Italy during lockdown, were invited to perform the Fratelli Dโ€™Italia โ€“ the Italian National Anthem โ€“ at the track before the Formula 1 Gran Premio Heineken dโ€™Italia 2020. 

They were invited by F1 and race sponsors Heinekenยฎ as a reward for keeping Italian spirits and morale high as the country went through the toughest stages of the pandemic.

The musicians had been brought together earlier in the week at the Teatro Comunale Luciano Pavarotti in Modena for a performance of the Italian anthem, but were surprised by Scuderia Ferrariโ€™s Charles Leclerc who invited them to perform the song at the track. 

Heineken presents: The Balcony Orchestra