F1 2021 Season

The season opening Australian Grand Prix & the Chinese Grand Prix have been postponed.

Bahrain Grand Prix on the 28th March to be the first race of the 2021 season.

Formula 1 to revert to 2pm race start times at European races this year.

F1 practice sessions will be shortened to one hour during Fridays across the 2021 season.

Cognizant have been announced as Aston Martin’s new title sponsor. They will be called ‘Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team’.

Alex Albon will drive in DTM this season, on selected race weekends

Lando Norris has confirmed he has contracted Covid, while staying in, Dubai.

It seems clear that Alex Albon has some sort of future in the sport of motor racing, but whether that will be at the highest level racing in formula one seems doubtful.

Has anyone started a youtube channel? Is that the future? Is it something that can be discussed here?

Renault has announced the departure of Cyril Abiteboul

Revised Calendar
28 March – Bahrain (Sakhir)
18 April – Italy (Imola)
2 May – Portugal (Portimao)
9 May – Spain (Barcelona)
23 May – Monaco (Monaco)
6 June – Azerbaijan (Baku)
13 June – Canada (Montreal)
27 June – France (Le Castellet)
4 July – Austria (Spielberg)
18 July – United Kingdom (Silverstone)
1 August – Hungary (Budapest)
29 August – Belgium (Spa)
5 September – Netherlands (Zandvoort)
12 September – Italy (Monza)
26 September – Russia (Sochi)
3 October – Singapore (Singapore)
10 October – Japan (Suzuka)
24 October – USA (Austin)
31 October – Mexico (Mexico City)
7 November – Brazil (Sao Paulo)
21 November – Australia (Melbourne)
5 December – Saudi Arabia (Jeddah)
12 December – Abu Dhabi (Yas Island)

Just John wrote:Renault has announced the departure of Cyril Abiteboul

Revised Calendar
28 March – Bahrain (Sakhir)
18 April – Italy (Imola)
2 May – Portugal (Portimao)
9 May – Spain (Barcelona)
23 May – Monaco (Monaco)
6 June – Azerbaijan (Baku)
13 June – Canada (Montreal)
27 June – France (Le Castellet)
4 July – Austria (Spielberg)
18 July – United Kingdom (Silverstone)
1 August – Hungary (Budapest)
29 August – Belgium (Spa)
5 September – Netherlands (Zandvoort)
12 September – Italy (Monza)
26 September – Russia (Sochi)
3 October – Singapore (Singapore)
10 October – Japan (Suzuka)
24 October – USA (Austin)
31 October – Mexico (Mexico City)
7 November – Brazil (Sao Paulo)
21 November – Australia (Melbourne)
5 December – Saudi Arabia (Jeddah)
12 December – Abu Dhabi (Yas Island)

While it's good news to see some of the tracks from last year continue on the calendar, it is a shame that the season isn't *really* going to get going until May. Going to be a bit weird to have the first race then a three week break until the second one

Just John wrote:Renault has announced the departure of Cyril Abiteboul

The Alpine Formula 1 team has announced former Suzuki MotoGP team boss Davide Brivio as its new racing director.

Sauber, Alfa Romeo brand set to leave F1 again, will remain Ferrari powered until 2025.

Hamilton signs one year deal.

No reason not to, about as free as a wdc will ever be

Alonso has nearly done a Kubica.

Fernando Alonso is "conscious and well in himself’’, and now awaiting further medical examinations on Friday morning, his Alpine F1 team said in a statement after cycling accident in Switzerland. Rumoured fractured jaw, and other facial injuries.

Nico Hulkenberg to join Aston Martin as reserve driver as per German media.

Red Bull has completed the purchase to take over the Honda f1 engine programme. Both Red Bull and AlphaTauri will use these engines until 2025.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/56168559

Have RB always located their suspension arms so high? Maybe it's just the angle for the photo.

Mercedes W12

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Alpine looks good

I'm kinda bleh on it to be honest, the yellow was at least distinctive, this just looks generic

Aston Martin

That Aston is beautiful, especially with our Seb and our Lance driving it

That is a great looking mercedes

Porsche/VW hinting at becoming an engine supplier in 2025

Haas have gone for a slightly russian themed livery

GSC wrote:That is a great looking mercedes

They can’t unlearn what they’ve seen, so RP/Aston Martin were always going to have a two year window, in which they would essentially have a copycat car. The new no copying regulation basically comes into effect next year, and with Aston being allowed the 2020 spec rear/gearbox and suspension of the Mercedes, it’s no surprise what’s been revealed. Next year when they go it alone, will be interesting.

Well FI batted above their average for years and by all accounts Stroll sr is not exactly being conservative with the budget so no reason they can't compete.

Portugal confirmed for 2nd May

Portimao is a great track, glad to see it included for this season.

RIP Murray Walker

RIP Murray

GSC wrote:Haas have gone for a slightly russian themed livery

I got that vibe too. Probably something to do with Nikita Marzipan driving for them.

Very weird for an American team anyway.

GSC wrote:RIP Murray Walker

He was one of the two reasons I got into F1. His excitable commentary and the loud, brightly-coloured cars screaming round the tracks.

So passes a true legend. Far more than just a commentator...he was more like the world's most enthusiastic fan who was getting paid to do his hobby.

Just John wrote:

GSC wrote:That is a great looking mercedes

They can’t unlearn what they’ve seen, so RP/Aston Martin were always going to have a two year window, in which they would essentially have a copycat car. The new no copying regulation basically comes into effect next year, and with Aston being allowed the 2020 spec rear/gearbox and suspension of the Mercedes, it’s no surprise what’s been revealed. Next year when they go it alone, will be interesting.

I'll be referring to it as "the green Mercedes" this season.

Loving the livery though and I'm really hoping Lawrence can deliver on his aim of making Aston Martin a rival to the likes of Ferrari in the luxury car stakes.

Although I guess that also means hoping the F1 team are successful...

Loving the Alpine livery too. Way better than the rather plain yellow Renault used. Got my fingers crossed for Alonso.

So what's everyones' feelings about the proposed sprint races?

I read they're supposed to be half a normal GP distance...which sounds more like a middle-distance run than a sprint to me. To my mind a sprint race should be more like 10-15 laps max.

On low fuel they'd be like the latter stages of a normal GP. With tyre wear also not a factor I think you could expect some interesting racing.

I don't even mind the idea of them being used to set the grid for Sunday. Lets face it, the current quali system has become pretty predictable, barring technical issues and bad timing. A sprint race would throw a few extra variables in there and might help shake up the starting order.

However I wouldn't want points awarded to teams & drivers...unless it became a separate Sprint Cup competition.

The Jeddah track looks like it could be another awful procession.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCiNvuB56xg

From the pictures I've seen it looks awful...like someone dropped a pile of string on the floor.

Its like the designers were told to try and cram as many corners in as possible. Only 1 noteworthy straight (the start-finish stretch). Also looks horribly narrow. I really don't see where the overtaking potential is, even though there is talk of up to 3 DRS zones.

Personally, I'd think the drivers would be too busy just trying to stay on track, to worry too much about overtaking.

Certainly looks like it'll be technically demanding. Maybe fun for the drivers, but I can't see it being a great spectacle for those watching.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.first-look-fastest-ever-f1-street-circuit-revealed-for-saudi-arabian-grand.3DlnO9gJaDmaGJtpWnBLHR.html

dyrewolfe wrote:So what's everyones' feelings about the proposed sprint races?

I read they're supposed to be half a normal GP distance...which sounds more like a middle-distance run than a sprint to me. To my mind a sprint race should be more like 10-15 laps max.

On low fuel they'd be like the latter stages of a normal GP. With tyre wear also not a factor I think you could expect some interesting racing.

I don't even mind the idea of them being used to set the grid for Sunday. Lets face it, the current quali system has become pretty predictable, barring technical issues and bad timing. A sprint race would throw a few extra variables in there and might help shake up the starting order.

However I wouldn't want points awarded to teams & drivers...unless it became a separate Sprint Cup competition.

Not sure I love the suggested solution but at least they're addressing the issue that qualifying isnt a particularly interesting affair for 99% of it.

Sprint races would probably require some additional rule changes to produce viable races (e.g extend DRS to 1.5 seconds or something).

The only other thing I could think of is making the top 10 shootout a 1 lap only event. Top 10 drivers go out in reverse order of Q2 times and everyone gets one lap only.

Our Lance making Q3 again is it

Verstappen pole by four tenths!

Don't get too excited Olly. The Green Mercedes is looking distinctly average once again.

Poor old Seb. New season, new team...same awful performance.

Similar story with Red Bull and their #2 driver. The second seat at that team seems to be a poisoned chalice.

Anyway, the pre-season predictions about Red Bull (specifically Max) are looking accurate. He blows Hamilton away by 4/10ths to take pole.

Bottas pretty close to Hamilton, but if past form is anything to go by, he could drop back as the race goes on. Or could have one of his frequent poor starts and end up 8th at the end of lap 1.

1. Verstappen
2. Hamilton
3. Bottas
4. Leclerc
5. Gasly
6. Ricciardo
7. Norris
8. Sainz
9. Alonso
10. Stroll

Here's hoping for a close fight between Max and Lewis.

McLaren looking a bit stronger with Mercedes power, but not the leap in performance I was hoping for.

Leclerc looking like maintaining his top dog position at Ferrari.

Surprisingly strong debut for Alpine by Alonso. Gasly maintaining his form from last season...and his team mate Tsunoda showing some amazing speed. Just needs to learn to harness it when it matters.

Oh and a new Safety Car for this season. Bert Mailander will be driving an Aston Martin, instead of the usual Mercedes. Wonder if Lawrence Stroll had anything to do with that?

For those wanting Mercedes to be toppled from their throne the disappointing thing was shown in Q2.   Both Perez and Tsunoda out finishing P11 and P13 respectively.   When the Red Bull and Alpha Tauri put on the mediums they were no match for the Mercedes on the mediums.

The Mercedes are very good on the softs and  the mediums.  The Red Bulls (and alphaTauris) are well behind the Mercedes when on the mediums - at least that is what qualifying told us. In Q2 Perez was less than 0.35 s from Verstappen with both on the mediums.  I think Gasly had to change to softs in Q2 to qualify, whereas Tsunoda was on the mediums.

I am hearing that Gasly was on the mediums in Q2.  So in Q2 Mercedes, Red Bull and Alpha Tauris were on mediums.  Mercedes got through to Q1 easily,  Red Bull and Alpha Tauri had more difficulties.  It seems Tsunoda was unable to get the mediums to work as well as Gasly in Q2. Maybe we could say Gasly showed a very impressive all round performance in qualifying.

Wouldn't really read much of anything into q2 pace. Race Sims had it pretty even

Not that mazepin had a backlog of good will anyway but suspect he got a few words for overtaking cars to start his quali lap and binning it at t1

Perez's car dies on the formation lap. RB #2 seat officially cursed. They get the car going again but he has to start from the pit lane.

Nikita Maze-spin off on the first lap. SC out. Confirms he's okay over the radio.

Well it can only be upwards from here for young Nikita.

Gonna be a pretty boring season for Mick

Gasly off after the restart...Virtual SC.

Gonna need a new nose if his car is still okay.

Max has an issue because of course

GSC wrote:Max has an issue because of course

Doesn't seem to be affecting him too much. He's gradually reeling Lewis in.

Ugh. Another botched pit stop for Bottas because of course...

Alonso retires lap 34 with brake issues.

Holy crap - that was pretty epic!

Can't remember the last time I was actually on the edge of my seat for a GP.

Thought Max had him for a moment. Needed to see the replay to realise he'd gone completely off track to pass Lewis.

Even after race control order him to hand the lead back, it was still nail-biting stuff right to the end.

Brilliant start to the season. This must go down as one of Hamilton's toughest wins. I'm sure Verstappen will be on the top of the podium a few times this season.

Drive of the day has to go to Perez...finishing 5th after starting from the pit lane.

Brilliant 4th place for m'boy Lando.

Shout out to Tsunoda, scoring 2 points on his debut.

Hopefully this continues into the season, but the Mercedes has shown the greatest progress since the testing period - if we can take anything from testing.   Bottas had an 11 sec pit stop and Perez had to start right at the back which compromised their races, but great effort from Perez to finish fifth.

What a win, Lewis

Max with a faster car, and superior tyres just couldn’t get the job done.  Going to be a mouthwatering fight this season. Interesting to see who can win the development fight.

Elsewhere, all a bit meh. Vettel should of retired. Most teams waiting for 22’

McLaren look best of the rest, should be a decent fight with Ferrari.

Hopefully Perez can make the constructors an event for once, Bottas could do with a challenge for 3rd place every race

Aston and Alpine look to have taken a fairly significant step back, Alfa look half decent

Williams are Williams

Haas have decided to be a meme in 2021 in the aim of being ok in 2022

It is comical how bad Haas have become. I can see them pulling out if they can't become at least reasonably competitive when the new regs take effect.

RP / Aston seem to have made their car worse with each passing season. Also handicapped by having Vettel in the team. They really would have been better off trying to get Vandoorne or even Albon in on loan (assuming contractual situation allowed it).

But then it does look like most teams are just waiting for next season. Especially with the cost cap now making it even harder to develop the cars significantly.