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In 2021, Topps launched its first official Formula 1 trading card products with 2020 Topps Chrome F1 and 2020 Topps Chrome Sapphire F1. This release marked the Topps debut for every driver on the grid, and for many—including stars like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen—it was their first true trading card. Because of that, the set quickly became a favorite among collectors, particularly F1 fans and trading card enthusiasts. The 2020 Topps Chrome Sapphire F1 officially hit shelves on April 23, 2021, and in this blog we’ll break down everything you need to know about this historic release.
This same set was even spotlighted recently in our breakdown of all 32 boxes featured in eBay Live’s Sudden Death Event, showing just how relevant it remains in today’s hobby.
Buckle up, and we’ll dive in.
Rookies To Look For In 2020 Topps Chrome Sapphire
Since this set was the first-ever Topps Formula 1 release, every card in the checklist is technically a driver’s first Topps card. Because of that, many collectors have labeled the entire set as rookie cards, even though most drivers were not true rookies at the time. Still, there are three true rookies to look out for in 2020 Topps Chrome and Sapphire F1: Alexander Albon (Aston Martin RB Racing), George Russell (Williams Racing), and Lando Norris (McLaren F1). All three are still active on the grid today, and their 2020 cards remain some of the most sought after in the product.
- Alexander Albon is now racing for Williams after a brief stint at Red Bull, where he only spent one season.
- George Russell spent three seasons with Williams before moving to Mercedes, where he continues to compete at the front and consistently fight for top five finishes.
- Lando Norris has stayed with McLaren since entering F1, steadily improving each year. He is now a legitimate championship contender, currently battling his teammate Oscar Piastri for the 2025 title.
These three rookie cards anchor the set, and with their continued presence and success in Formula 1, they have become cornerstone collectibles for modern F1 card investors.
F2 Drivers To Look For
One unique feature of the 2020 Topps Chrome and Sapphire F1 release is the inclusion of Formula 2 driver and car cards. There are 22 drivers and 22 cars represented, and several of those drivers went on to reach Formula 1.
Four names from the F2 checklist eventually made it to the F1 grid: Guanyu Zhou (Uni-Virtuosi Racing), Mick Schumacher (Prema Racing), Nikita Mazepin (Hitech Grand Prix), and Yuki Tsunoda (Carlin). Of those four, only Yuki Tsunoda is still racing in Formula 1 today.
- Guanyu Zhou joined Alfa Romeo in 2022 and stayed with the team through its 2024 rebrand as Stake F1. After the 2024 season he left the grid and is now serving as a reserve driver for Ferrari.
- Mick Schumacher made his debut with Haas in 2021 and drove through 2022. After leaving the team he has remained in the sport as a reserve driver.
- Nikita Mazepin also debuted with Haas in 2021 alongside Schumacher, but his stint was short-lived. He was cut from the team before the start of the 2022 season.
- Yuki Tsunoda debuted with AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) in 2021. After steady growth and strong performances, he was promoted to Red Bull during the 2025 season, where he now races alongside Max Verstappen.
These F2 cards add another layer of chase to the set. Collectors often treat them as prospect cards, and in hindsight, they provide a fascinating look at the early cardboard history of drivers who either made brief appearances in F1 or went on to establish themselves on the sport’s biggest stage.
Insert Sets To Look For
The 2020 Topps Chrome Sapphire F1 set is relatively small compared to modern releases, with just 200 total cards. The base set covers both F1 and F2 and makes up 111 of those cards. Within the base checklist you’ll find drivers, cars, and even team crew cards, giving collectors a full look at the grid.
Outside of the base set, there are six different insert sets: Team Logos, Grand Prix Winners, Grand Prix Driver of the Day, F1 Racers, F1 Award Winners, and F1 Freshest. These inserts added variety to the release and gave collectors more unique ways to connect with the 2020 season.
The first of these is Team Logos, which includes one card for every F1 and F2 team for a total of 21 cards. The design is straightforward, featuring the team’s logo prominently in the center of the card. While they might not carry the same long-term value as driver rookies, logo cards have their own niche appeal and serve as an easy way for collectors to rep their favorite team.
The next insert set is Grand Prix Winners, which includes 21 cards. Each card celebrates the winner of a specific race from the season, featuring an image of the driver after their victory along with the name of the Grand Prix they won. This insert captures the standout performances of the year and remains a favorite among collectors who want to connect specific drivers to memorable races.
The next insert set is Grand Prix Driver of the Day, which includes 20 cards. Each card features the driver voted as Driver of the Day for one of the season’s races. The design showcases a photo of the driver along with a label noting the Grand Prix where they earned the honor. These cards highlight standout individual performances, often spotlighting drivers who made impressive comebacks or delivered memorable drives.
The next insert set is F1 Racers, which has 20 cards with one for each driver in Formula 1. These cards feature different images of the drivers compared to their base cards, although the overall design is very similar. They may not stand out as much as some of the other inserts, but they still give collectors an alternate look at every driver from the 2020 season.
The next insert set is F1 Award Winners, which contains 4 cards. Each card highlights a driver or team that earned a season award. The design features a photo of the winner along with a label noting the award, giving collectors a way to celebrate the standout achievements of the year.
The final insert set is F1 Freshest, which includes 3 cards. Each card features one of the rookies from the 2020 season, pairing a photo of the driver with a “Formula 1 Freshest” logo. These cards stand out because they spotlight the new faces of the grid, making them some of the most popular inserts from the product.
The 2020 Topps Chrome Sapphire F1 set includes only seven parallels. They are Aqua numbered to 99, 70th Anniversary numbered to 70, Gold numbered to 50, Orange numbered to 25, Purple numbered to 10, Red numbered to 5, and the Padparadscha one of one.
The Padparadscha is the true chase parallel in this release. As the only one of its kind in the entire set, it is considered the ultimate pull. These cards are extremely rare, highly sought after, and often sell for strong prices on the secondary market.
Final Lap 🏁
The 2020 Topps Chrome Sapphire F1 set has earned its place as one of the most important modern F1 releases. With true rookies like George Russell and Lando Norris, prospect cards from future stars like Yuki Tsunoda and Guanyu Zhou, and iconic parallels such as the Padparadscha, it continues to be a cornerstone of F1 card collecting.
For collectors interested in tracking how sets like this perform in the market, live platforms such as eBay Live have become an exciting way to see real-time demand for F1 cards. And if you want to learn more about how livestream shopping is shaping the hobby, check out our Ludex blog: How eBay Live is Changing Collecting.
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