Welcome to the exciting world of motorsports! With the Formula 1 season quickly approaching, fans all over the world are eagerly anticipating the start of another thrilling season. The world’s top drivers will compete for the coveted title of World Champion, while the top teams will battle it out for the Constructors’ Championship. As always, there is much anticipation and speculation surrounding which teams and drivers will come out on top. In this article, we will take a closer look at the top teams and drivers to watch in the upcoming Formula 1 season.
Overview of Formula 1 Season
Before we dive into the top teams and drivers, let’s first have a brief overview of the Formula 1 season. Formula 1, also known as F1, is the highest class of single-seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). The 2021 F1 season will consist of 23 races, beginning in Bahrain on March 28th and ending in Abu Dhabi on December 12th.
Each race weekend consists of three practice sessions, qualifying, and the main race on Sunday. Points are awarded to the top 10 finishers in each race, with the winner receiving 25 points. At the end of the season, the driver with the most points is crowned the World Champion, while the team with the most points is awarded the Constructors’ Championship.
Now that we have a basic understanding of the F1 season, let’s take a closer look at the top teams to watch in 2021.
Top Teams to Watch
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team has dominated the sport in recent years, winning the Constructors’ Championship every year since 2014. Led by seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, the team is poised to continue its winning streak in the upcoming season.
Alongside Hamilton, Mercedes boasts another talented driver in Valtteri Bottas, who has been with the team since 2017. With a strong car and a winning team, it’s no surprise that Mercedes is once again favored to come out on top in 2021.
| Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team |
|---|
| Drivers: Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas |
| Car: Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance |
| Constructors’ Championships: 7 (2014-2020) |
Red Bull Racing Honda
Red Bull Racing Honda, led by team principal Christian Horner, is one of the biggest challengers to Mercedes’ dominance in recent years. The team has consistently finished in the top three in the Constructors’ Championship, and with the addition of Sergio Perez as Max Verstappen’s teammate, they are looking stronger than ever.
Verstappen, who is considered one of the most talented drivers on the grid, has been with Red Bull since 2016 and is known for his aggressive driving style. With a new car and a strong driver lineup, Red Bull is ready to give Mercedes a run for their money in 2021.
| Red Bull Racing Honda |
|---|
| Drivers: Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez |
| Car: RB16B |
| Constructors’ Championships: 4 (2010-2013) |
McLaren F1 Team
McLaren F1 Team, led by Zak Brown, is another team to watch in the upcoming season. After switching to Mercedes engines in 2021, the team is hoping for a competitive car that can challenge the top teams. McLaren also boasts a strong driver lineup with Lando Norris returning for his third season and Daniel Ricciardo joining the team from Renault.
Ricciardo, a proven race winner, will bring valuable experience and knowledge to the team. With a new car and a strong driver lineup, McLaren is looking to make a comeback in 2021.
| McLaren F1 Team |
|---|
| Drivers: Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo |
| Car: MCL35M |
| Constructors’ Championships: 8 (1974, 1984-1991) |
Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow
Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow, one of the most historic teams in F1, had a disappointing season in 2020, finishing sixth in the Constructors’ Championship. However, with a new car and a renewed focus, the team is determined to bounce back in 2021.
The team is led by team principal Mattia Binotto and boasts two talented drivers in Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. Leclerc, who has been with the team since 2019, is considered one of the rising stars of F1, while Sainz brings valuable experience from his time at McLaren.
| Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow |
|---|
| Drivers: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz |
| Car: SF21 |
| Constructors’ Championships: 16 (1961, 1964-2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013) |
Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team
Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team, formerly known as Racing Point, is another team that could surprise in 2021. The team has a strong car, thanks to its close ties with Mercedes, and boasts a formidable driver lineup with four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel joining the team alongside Lance Stroll.
After a strong showing in 2020, where they finished fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, Aston Martin is looking to build on that success and potentially challenge the top teams.
| Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team |
|---|
| Drivers: Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll |
| Car: AMR21 |
| Constructors’ Championships: None |
Top Drivers to Watch
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton, the most successful driver in F1 history, will once again be the one to watch in the upcoming season. With seven World Championships under his belt, the 36-year-old British driver shows no signs of slowing down. He will be aiming for an eighth World Championship in 2021, which would solidify his place as one of the greatest drivers of all time.
Hamilton is known for his speed, consistency, and racecraft, making him a formidable opponent on the track. With a strong car and a winning team, it’s hard to bet against Hamilton for the upcoming season.
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen, often touted as the next big thing in F1, has quickly established himself as one of the top drivers on the grid. At just 23 years old, the Dutch driver has already achieved nine Grand Prix wins and is known for his aggressive driving style.
Verstappen will once again be driving for Red Bull Racing Honda in 2021 and will be looking to challenge Hamilton for the World Championship. With a new car and a more experienced teammate in Sergio Perez, Verstappen could potentially have his best season yet.
Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc, a product of the Ferrari Driver Academy, has quickly risen through the ranks to become one of the top drivers in F1. In just two seasons with Scuderia Ferrari, the 23-year-old Monegasque driver has achieved two pole positions and two race wins.
Leclerc will once again be driving for Ferrari in 2021 and will be aiming to lead the team back to its winning ways. With a new car and a more experienced teammate in Carlos Sainz, Leclerc could potentially have his best season yet.
Daniel Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo, who has been dubbed “the honey badger” for his aggressive style of racing, is another driver to watch in 2021. After spending two seasons with Renault, the Australian driver will be joining McLaren in hopes of achieving his first podium finish since 2018.
Known for his speed and overtaking skills, Ricciardo brings valuable experience and knowledge to the team. With a new car and a young and talented teammate in Lando Norris, Ricciardo is looking to make a strong comeback in 2021.
Sebastian Vettel
Sebastian Vettel, a four-time World Champion, will be driving for Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team in 2021 after parting ways with Ferrari. The German driver had a disappointing season in 2020, but with a fresh start at Aston Martin, he is determined to prove that he still has what it takes to compete at the top level.
Vettel’s experience and racecraft will be an asset to the team, and he will be looking to add to his impressive record of 53 Grand Prix wins. With a strong car and a young and talented teammate in Lance Stroll, Vettel could potentially surprise everyone in 2021.
Predictions for the Season
With the start of the Formula 1 season just around the corner, there is much speculation and anticipation surrounding which teams and drivers will come out on top. Based on their performance in previous seasons and pre-season testing, here are our predictions for the top three teams and drivers in the 2021 Formula 1 season.
Top Three Teams
- Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team
- Red Bull Racing Honda
- McLaren F1 Team
Top Three Drivers
- Lewis Hamilton
- Max Verstappen
- Charles Leclerc
Of course, in motorsports, anything can happen, and surprises are always possible. It will be interesting to see how the season unfolds and which teams and drivers come out on top.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 2021 Formula 1 season is shaping up to be an exciting one, with top teams and drivers vying for the World Championship title. From Mercedes’ dominance to Red Bull’s challenge and the potential comeback of Ferrari, there will be no shortage of action and drama on the track. With a talented lineup of drivers and new cars, it’s hard to predict who will come out on top, but one thing is for sure – we are in for another thrilling season of Formula 1 racing. Stay tuned!
