Formula 1 2021 Season Predicitons

Wheel to Wheel Reports #1

Looking ahead to one of the most eagerly anticipated Formula 1 Championship seasons in recent memory, there is a growing feeling that Lewis Hamilton won’t have it as easy this year as he did in recent seasons. Can Valtteri Bottas mount a title challenge to his Mercedes teammate in what could be his last attempt in the other silver arrow? What about Max Verstappen in the ever-improving Red Bull, could he bring the glory years back to Christian Horner and co? And with the newly branded Aston Martin and Alpine teams repping former world champions in Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso respectively, there could be so many surprises that lie ahead. In this piece, Joe Murphy gives his insight into the new season ahead of what could be one of the most unpredictable seasons in history.

Haas in for a long season

A shoo-in for 10^th in the constructor’s championship, Haas’ season didn’t get off to the most ideal start with the controversy surrounding Nikita Mazepin, just after the close of the 2020 season. In what is already being described as a recovery season by team boss Guenther Steiner, it is more about surviving this year than mounting any sort of challenge on points positions. Expect the aim of Haas to be developing both of their young rookie drivers this year. It is great to see the Schumacher name back in Formula 1 but, realistically, you can expect to see it fall out of Q1 every week.

Alfa Romeo 9^th, Williams 8^th and Alpha Tauri 7^th.

One can forget that the former Sauber outfit spent most of the 2017 season locking out the back row. Alfa Romeo, despite having arguably the best-looking car on the grid, should struggle to get any sort of points this year. They simply haven’t got the pace to match the other lower midfield teams around them. The standout predictions regarding this team are that Antonio Giovinazzi will get more points than former world champion Kimi Raikkonen. Furthermore, this will be Kimi’s last season in Formula 1. This writer can see the Finn hanging up his helmet to spend more time with his family once the 2021 season ends. Making room for a younger driver to come onto the grid next year or, even, a returning Nico Hulkenberg.

Williams should make steady progress this season. In the right circumstances, such as a few DNF’s above, expect George Russell and Nicholas Latifi to score single figure points over the duration of the year. Baby steps, but progress nonetheless. The bigger story regarding this team could be the movements of Russell, perhaps into that Mercedes seat if a vacancy becomes available.

Alpha Tauri will hit a bit of a reality check this season. Pierre Gasly put his car where it had no place to be, last season. It will be a much bigger challenge to get points this season with Renault, McLaren and Ferrari all certain to improve. This Red Bull reserve team did incredibly well last year, and it should be comfortably in Q2 most weeks, just don’t bet your house on another win for the Italian outfit.

Little Donkey rather than Prancing Horse

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are one of the most talented pairings on the grid, no question. Ferrari will get points, make no bones about it. However, to expect them to go from regular P15’s to consistent podiums is foolish and unrealistic. They certainly have the calibre of drivers to get podiums, but it took miracles and mistakes last year to do so, and it will take the same again. Because of the money, history and mechanics surrounding the red team, I expect them to be challenging for the title within the next two seasons. For 2021, however, regular low points finishes and tussles with other midfield teams, is a more realistic expectation.

Alpine and Aston to be neck and neck

One of the most eagerly anticipated returns in F1 history is that of Fernando Alonso this season. That level of driver, coupled with Esteban Ocon fresh off his fist podium at the end of 2020, makes for solid midfield team. You can expect many duels between these two and the two Aston Drivers; Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll. The only thing stopping these two teams from chasing the top 3 is the fact that, as even Seb admits, it will take time for the teams to settle and develop, on the back of some heavy marketing, driving and personnel changes. It would not be too shocking if two ore more of these drivers get at least a podium during the season should the other teams have an off weekend. You can at least expect to see these four get into Q3, most weeks.

McLaren to get a strong third

The signing of Daniel Ricciardo and the continued consistent performances of Lando Norris should make McLaren an outfit to be take seriously this season. On their day, the orange outfit could get onto the second row in qualifying. Compared to only a few seasons ago when they suffered regular mechanical issues and even had a “GP2 engine” according to driver at the time, Fernando Alonso. Podiums are a real possibility and if the British team can keep their game up and maintain their current trajectory, then a serious title challenge may not be too many seasons away. Lastly, Ricciardo should get a solid 5^th in the drivers’ standings this year at the very least and may even sneak past Perez for P4.

Arrows to Kill the Raging Bull, just…

There appears little doubt that Reb Bull Racing are in the strongest position to challenge Mercedes and it also appears the case that they look stronger than they have done in around 8 years. Since Sebastian Vettel last won the drivers title in 2013 for Christian Horner’s team, Mercedes have dominated and consistently smashed them in the constructor’s championship. This year, it will not be a clear victory and Red Bull will certainly get closer. Signing the experienced Sergio Perez should lift that other Red Bull car up to P4 most weeks, something Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon have failed at achieving in recent years. It is of this writer’s opinion, however, that a gap that big does not get fully closed in one season. Mercedes are incredibly reliable and have only very sporadic DNF’s. This means Red Bull must beat them and although Max Verstappen has managed this on occasion, he has not been able to do it consistently. Therefore, this season, Max will have to settle for 3^rd but expect the constructors title to be decided with only two races to go, rather than 4 or 5.

LH to fall short in final season shortcoming

Not a popular option but something needs to be said to stir the pot a little bit. Valtteri Bottas will be the 2021 Formula 1 World Drivers Champion. This season may be Valtteri’s last chance to do so, and I think he knows that. Russell, Ocon and even Verstappen rumours will pile the pressure on the Finn, but expect him to prevail in a narrow contest, which could ultimately be decided in a final race showdown, a mirror image to 2016. With Lewis potentially having an eye on more financial or political situations, as well as plans away from F1, you may expect some complacency to creep into his game. Expect Max, Sergio and even Danny Ricc to enjoy some battles with the silver arrows, but there is a chance Bottas’ desperation and potentially wanting this more, could tilt the odds into his favour

2021 Predicted Driver Standings:

1^st Valtteri Bottas

2^nd Lewis Hamilton

3^rd Max Verstappen

4^th – Daniel Ricciardo

5^th – Sergio Perez

6^th – Lando Norris

7^th – Sebastian Vettel

8^th – Fernando Alonso

9^th – Esteban Ocon

10^th – Lance Stroll

11^th – Charles Leclerc

12^th – Carlos Sainz

13^th – Pierre Gasly

14^th – Antonio Giovinazzi

15^th – Yuki Tsunoda

16^th – George Russell

17^th – Kimi Raikkonen

18^th – Nicolas Latifi

19^th – Mick Schumacher

20^th – Nikita Mazepin