Making their F1 debut; Mick Schumacher (Haas), Nikita Mazepin (Haas), and Yuki Tsunoda (Alpha Tauri) are all ready to showcase their talents after a long-anticipated leap to the biggest competition in motorsports. With that being said, it may not be an easy ride for them.
Facing the 7-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton, along with some of the more experienced drivers on the grid; Raikkonen, Alonso, and Vettel, our new rookies will have to prepare for a bumpy season ahead as they transition from F2 to F1. In the words of team principal of Haas F1 Team Guenther Steiner, in an interview with F1 TV - “they will need hard work to succeed” and there is no doubt about that!
Will we see some old friendships turn into new rivalries this season?
As Sainz moves to Ferrari, Ricciardo to Mclaren, and Perez to Red Bull, we bid a fond farewell to some of the names we grew to love over the past couple of years. Alex Albon says a reluctant goodbye to F1 for now as Checo Perez takes his seat over at Red Bull. But despite not securing a seat this season, I’m sure it won’t be the last time we see Albon out on an F1 track.
Along with Albon’s departure, we say a sad goodbye to Daniil Kvyat and Romain Grosjean after his life-threatening accident late last season at the Bahrain GP, leaving him with no choice but to sit this one out.
Out on the track, we welcome not only new faces but also welcome back some old ones too. That’s right, we welcome back the two-time world champion Fernando Alonso as he signs a two-year deal with Renault as Daniel Riccardo’s replacement. Alonso stepped out of the sport back in 2018 after claiming in an interview for ESPN that “there are greater challenges out there” for him and reportedly had no intentions of returning. It looks like Alonso reconsidered his decision and much to our delight has decided to make a comeback to Renault for the third time in his career.
Moving into the paddock now, and on the note of welcoming back new faces, Jenson Button is making a reappearance at the team where his F1 career first started: but this time as a senior adviser. Williams welcomes back Button with open arms after 20 years since he was last with the team. Upcoming CEO of Williams, Jost Capito, said in an official F1 interview that bringing Jenson back was “a positive step forward” for the team and they hope that his 30 years’ experience in the sport will give them the boost they need on and off the track.
Not only are familiar faces making a reappearance but also teams! After 6 years off the grid, Aston Martin is taking their place in the line up alongside a newly rebranded Alpine racing - formerly known as Renault.
Unfortunately, following the announcement of the rebrand, Cyril Abiteboul, Renault's managing director, gave notice of his departure from the team after being with them for 6 years, stating that he would not be managing Alpine going forward. Nevertheless, this is not a hindrance for Alpine, as with the new rebrand giving the team a new sense of life and the fantastically talented drivers line up of Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso, we are certain that Alpine will have no trouble claiming their place in the championship this year.
After making a roaring success out of a season that was almost non-existent in 2020, we carry much excitement for the 2021 season with new teams, new drivers, and most importantly... a new chance to judge who has the best livery! So, as we go full speed ahead from March through to December, we wait to see who will end up on top of the leader board for this year’s Formula 1.