Formula 1: The historic implications of Lewis Hamilton’s absence

Lewis Hamilton’s record 265-race streak of Formula 1 starts will end unexpectedly this weekend at Bahrain International Circuit.

The 2020 Formula 1 season has been characterized by Lewis Hamilton breaking all-time records, namely those formerly held by Michael Schumacher.

Entering the year, Hamilton had 84 wins, including 63 with Mercedes, six world championships and 151 podium finishes to his name.

Schumacher retired with 91 wins, an all-time record, 72 wins with Ferrari, an all-time record with a single constructor, seven world championships, an all-time record, and 155 podium finishes, an all-time record as well.

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Hamilton now has a record 95 wins to his name, including a record 74 with Mercedes, a record-tying seven world championships and a record 164 podium finishes.

Additionally, he won the Hungarian Grand Prix, giving him eight career wins in that race. Schumacher is the only other eight-time winner of any race, having won the French Grand Prix on eight occasions.

But unfortunately for Hamilton, the year which has been characterized by him breaking records will also see one of the records he has already held since 2017 come to an end.

While he will still hold this particular record for at least the next few Formula 1 seasons, he will be unable to extend it.

After testing positive for COVID-19, Hamilton will not compete in this Sunday’s Sakhir Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit outer layout.

Since making his Formula 1 debut in the 2007 Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, the 35-year-old Briton has never missed a start. He has competed in all 265 races that have been contested over the last 14 seasons.

That 265-races streak is 59 races (roughly three full seasons) higher than the next highest streak on the all-time consecutive starts list, a streak owned by former teammate and fellow Mercedes world champion Nico Rosberg.

Rosberg competed in 206 consecutive races, beginning with his Formula 1 debut in the 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix at the track’s regular layout and ending with his championship-clinching start in the 2016 season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit.

After this weekend, provided everything else goes according to plan — something that cannot be taken for granted, especially in 2020 — Daniel Ricciardo is slated to lead active drivers in consecutive starts.

He has competed in all 186 races that have been contested since making his debut in the 2011 British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit.

In fact, with his 187th consecutive start in this weekend’s 87-lap race around the 11-turn, 2.202-mile (3.544-kilometer) road course in Sakhir, Bahrain, he is slated to tie the man whose first name nearly matches his last. Riccardo Patrese competed in 187 consecutive races from 1982 to 1993 and trails only Hamilton and Rosberg on the all-time list.

Hamilton will need a negative test to return to the paddock for the season finale at Yas Marina Circuit, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, on Sunday, December 13.