F1 2021 Pre Season Predictions and Updates.

"It's lights out and away we go!" That's what all F1 fans have been waiting to hear to mark the start of the 2021 season. Car testing is done and we are looking forward to our first race weekend in Bahrain. So what are your predictions? Will Mercedes keep up their winning streak? Will Sergio Perez be the boost Red Bull need? Or will we have a new winner this season? All we have to go on so far is history and the preseason test drives. We haven't even started the season and we have a lot to talk about! We have the return on Fernando Alonso, Renault giving themselves a rebrand to the first appearance of Alpine, is it a new beginning for Aston Martin? Only 10 teams and 20 driving seats to fill it will be an interesting season.

Mercedes

Mercedes are keeping to their winning recipe this season with Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton. Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton did keep us on the edge of our seats for a while with no contract agreement. But finally Hamilton and Toto Wolff came to a contract agreement just three weeks before revealing the 2021 Silver Arrow. Hamilton will be at Mercedes for a one year contract.

Looking at Pre season testing Mercedes had nothing but a tough weekend. Bottas only bringing a single instillation lap on the first test day with multiple car issues and a gear box change. Bottas did recover from his first day finishing fastest on day 2. Hamilton was struggling for grip and brought out the red flags on day 2. He did however recover and take 5th fastest on day 3. Will Mercedes have the up and down season that preseason testing suggests or was it all a bluff?

Red Bull

After Alex Albon's up and down 2020 season Red Bull have made a decision to take him out of the driving seat and to bring in free agent Sergio Perez. Was this a good move for Red Bull? We know that both drivers have an ugly competitive side. Just ask Esteban Ocon. Will they get in each others way or will they be exactly what Red Bull needs to win the points. Red Bull did well during preseason testing, Verstappen going fastest on day one and three. Perez is having to adapt to a complete different car after switching from Race Point. Will Red Bull give Mercedes a run for there money this season?

McLaren

Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris. What more needs to be said? Daniel Ricciardo is still on top of his game after storming the 2020 season with Renault and now joining Lando Norris a young British driver going into his third season in F1. But what can McLaren do with this talent? McLaren have also returned to Mercedes power for the first time since 2014. Will these changes be enough? After landing 4th last season will they be able to go up the standing in the 2021 season. McLaren had a great pre season testing with Lando Norris finishing 2nd fastest on day one and Daniel Ricciardo finishing in the top 10 on all three days even with his ongoing struggle with the new braking characteristics of the McLaren. I can't wait to see how this team Performs!

Aston Martin

From Racing Point to the brand new Aston Martin following significant investment. Laurence Stroll made a cool £182 Million investment which see's him take 16.7% stake in Aston Martin. The first car return from Aston Martin to formal 1 since 1960. The sports has definitely changed since the last time this team had its own car on the track. Aston Martin have gone and signed the four time champion Sebastian Vettel and of course where you get the money of Lawrence Stroll you get the pleasure of his son Lance Stroll as a driver who did drive for Racing Point in the 2020 season. Pre season testing didn't go to well for Aston Martin with Vettel struggling with his new car and needing a gear box change on day 2. Stroll kept the teams hopes up and finished 4th on day 2. Aston Martin are not predicted to be at the top this year but lets see what the season will bring and if Vettel can bring the team success.

Formula 1 New Aston Martin.

Alpine

Renault have had a big change this season becoming Alpine and racing in new colours. But that's not the surprise they had in store for us. The team are also welcoming back Fernando Alonso after after having two seasons out of formula 1. As we all know Alsonso is a two time champion but now one of the oldest drivers on the grid. Can he give Alpine the success they need? Alonso's team mate will be Esteban Ocon who was with Renault at the end of last season. Doing a decent amount of laps on preseason testing but non of those laps were completed in a mind blowing pace. Their big engine cover is also hiding one of the only power units that that didn't have a substantial overhaul and upgrade over the winter. According to Will Buxton "Renault have now built the most undesirable engine in F1". Predictions don't look good for Alpine but only time will tell as the season takes place.

Ferrari

Carlos Sainz signs as Ferrari's newest driver to drive in the famous Red overalls. He will be joining Charles Leclerc who now in his third season with the famous Ferrari team. Binotto has said "both drivers will have equal opportunity". The team did well during pre season suggesting they will be a middle table team. They have made big improvements to their power unit and now should resemble would you and I would think a Ferrari should be. It's not the best on the track but it is no longer the worst engine. Both drivers suggested the car was in good shape during pre season testing but how long will the positivity last for Ferrari?

AlphaTauri

Pierre Gasley has been paired with F1 rookie Yuki Tsunoda. Tsundo is stepping up from Formula 2 to join the Italian team. Now are you team Ferrari or team AlphaTauri? Having built a car that really pushes the limits this season, AlphaTauri look very impressive on the track. Both drivers looking comfortable and the Honda engine will definitely give Ferrari a run for their money.

Alfa Romeo

Keeping to what they know and keeping Antonio Giovinazzi and Kimi Raikkonen at the wheel. They are entering their third season together so both drivers should know how to handle the car. Covering 421 laps in the preseason testing the most miles of any team on the grid. They will be a midfield team but it will be interesting to see where they end up at the end of the 2021 season.

Haas

This team has shaken up their seats this season signing an all rookie line up. They have given both seats to Formula 2 graduates Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher. Mick is of course the son of seven time champion Michael Schumacher. Two rookie drivers will mean the drivers have a lot to learn this season. The team did okay during testing but they had difficulties on the first day but after that the car seemed reliable. I am not expecting much from his team during the 2021 season.

Williams

This is the first season that a member of the Williams family will not be in a senior position at the team. Will this change the teams luck? Nicholas Latifi and George Russell will be paired for their second season at Williams. The team had a pretty positive pre season testing but they have focused their car to perform only on specific tracks throughout the season. Trying to win points where they can on specific race days. However, if they don't perform where they hope to it could all go wrong for Williams. Will their bravery pay off or will we be seeing the name Williams at the bottom of the table.

So there we have it. We have new cars, new brand colours, new names and some new faces to bring us into the 2021 season. It will be an interesting season to keep up with and hopefully lots of drama, rivalry and dramatic speeds to keep us entertained. I am looking forward to this weekend in Bahrain and the rest of the 2021 season. Let me know your thoughts on the 2021 season!