As we move into March the 2021 Formula 1 season is almost here. While it may be different to see the season opener leave our shores (the Albert Park Grand Prix has been rescheduled to November), when the flag drops to start the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 28 there are a number of storyline’s that we will be watching.
1. Can the Silver Arrows continue their dominance?
The last seven years have seen an F1 dominance by the all conquering Mercedes team. Under the watch of team principal Toto Wolf they have rarely been challenged for the constructors championship. A similar story with the drivers championship, with newly knighted Sir Lewis Hamilton winning 6 of the 7 titles, and teammate Nico Rosberg pipping him in the other year.
While there were reports of Hamilton changing teams and a delay in him signing a contract, it is status quo with Hamilton and Valteri Bottas lining up again. The big question is how much ground have the other teams made in chasing Mercedes, or will the domination continue...
2. Are Red Bull ready to take the title?
Whe Red Bull signed Max Verstappen on a long term deal a few years ago not only did they pin their hopes on the Dutchman, but he too pushed his chips in with a team desperate to take on Mercedes head to head and get back on top of the field. Rumoured to have been courted by all teams, including Mercedes, Verstappen signed on with Red Bull in the belief that success was not far away. In the years since Verstappen has had glimpses of individual success, but Red Bull has been unable to provide a vehicle capable of reaching the pinnacle on a consistent basis. A change from Renault engines to Honda saw small improvements, but with the Japanese manufacturer deciding to withdraw from Formula 1 from 2022, the Red Bull team have decided to set up their own in house engine department.
After cutting the underperforming Alex Albon and signing the ultra reliable Sergio Perez to drive alongside Verstappen, Christian Horner, Helmut Marko and the rest of the Red Bull team will be keen to make the most of the final season of Honda engines and for a major challenge to Mercedes in 2021.
3. Will the McLaren team of Ricciardo and Norris provide more than just laughs?
When Daniel Ricciardo made the decision to leave Renault and sign on with McLaren, one of most reported angles was of the fun and carefree relationship between the Aussie and his new driving partner Lando Norris. Press conferences with the two are often a source of in jokes and crying laughter. But while they may provide plenty of laughs off the track, there will be high expectations from a car that showed signs of promise last year, and almost broke through for a long awaited win. With Ricciardo providing an upgrade on the Ferrari bound Carlos Sainz Jr, there will be high hopes that this dynamic duo can build on the recent momentum and lead this once powerful team back to championship glory in the coming years.
4. Does Seb still have it!
2020 was a year to forget for Sebastian Vettel. With only one podium placing (third at the Turkish GP) and totally outperformed by teammate Charles Leclerc, Vettel finished a lowly 13th in the Drivers Championship. With his Ferrari tenure coming to an end Vettel has signed on with the Aston Martin team.
Formerly Racing Point, the team took a great leap last year, with Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll making the most of the Mercedes engines the team was running. Finishing fourth on the standings, the highlight was the Sakhir GP where Stroll finished third, and Perez gave the team their first win. With Perez now at Red Bull, the team will be looking to continue their form to not only be the best to the rest, but to challenge both Red Bull and Mercedes on a consistent basis. The experience and guile of the four time World champion Vettel will be a major factor in how the Aston Martin team goes in 2021.
5. The old and the new
Looking at the driver changes for 2021 there are two familiar names, Alonso and Schumacher.
Taking the Renault seat vacated by Daniel Ricciadrdo is the returning two time world champion Fernando Alonso. Since leaving Formula 1 after the 2017 season, Alonso has raced across a number of competitions - from Indy Car to Le Mans to Endurance to the Dakar Rally. Stepping into a Renault car that showed promising signs in 2020, Alonso will join with Esteban Ocon to push the French team’s development further.
While Alonso brings over 20 years experience, one of the freshest faces on the grid comes with a strong pedigree. Mick Schumacher, son of seven time world champion Michael, will make his debut for team Haas. In 2020 Mick won the Formula 2 world championship while racing for the Prema Racing team, and along with fellow debutant Nikita Mazepin they will look to continue Haas’ progress up the Formula 1 ladder.
Race Party is very excited to support Project Optimism, a project which our Managing Director Noirin Mosley has spearheaded during Covid. We are very excited to announce that Project Optimism are giving everyone a gift of a free online course - ‘The Habits of an Optimist’. This course is a gift to everyone who would like to feel a little lighter and brighter and more optimistic as they navigate from what has been 2020 and head into 2021.
Why don’t you ask yourself what makes you optimistic and see how it makes you feel?
To experience this first course on learning to become more optimistic 'The Habits of an Optimist’ head to: http://www.projectoptimism.com.au and pass it on to your family and friends.
Let’s spread some optimism.
