Formula One 2021 Motor Sport

[Bandit]

Pre season testing has moved to Bahrain and will take place from the 12th to 14th of March.

That'll probably muddy the waters a bit, the teams have soo much data from Barcelona to compare to, much less for Bahrain!

I'd get rid of most of testing. It just means they can perfect everything before the season starts. Have a day or two to shakedown and find any major problems and that's it. Let them figure out the rest when they go racing.

The best thing about the new tracks this year was the fact that the teams didn't know them inside out and already have the perfect setup and strategy in mind. Turkey was great because of the low grip. Germany was great because the rain stopped Friday practice. Mugello, Imola and Portimao were good because they were new.

Unless there's a major formula change then I'd limit them to a day or two testing. Adds the likelihood of mistakes.

 

[Dylan]

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Confirms the engines are still badged "Renault".

"This livery will not race on track in 2021 but is more a hint of what we can expect to see at their pre-season launch, on a date to be announced."

This is nice but I was hoping for more of that Alpine blue, like a Klein blue

 

[Fraser]

With no contract signed yet, I wonder then is there any chance of Lewis Hamilton taking a sabbatical? And then coming back in 2022 with the new rules changes.

It's not beyond the realms of possibility, plus it would fit into his narrative about wanting to do other things. He could be involved in his activism while his profile is still high, reigning world champ and all that, and then come back in 2022 and fight for that 8th title.

 

[Legion]

With no contract signed yet, I wonder then is there any chance of Lewis Hamilton taking a sabbatical? And then coming back in 2022 with the new rules changes.

It's not beyond the realms of possibility, plus it would fit into his narrative about wanting to do other things. He could be involved in his activism while his profile is still high, reigning world champ and all that, and then come back in 2022 and fight for that 8th title.

I wondered about how the race he missed with Covid and how fan reactions affected him. The fans were pretty happy he wasn't there and there would be a different story for the weekend. I imagine that would have been devastating for his ego that the fans were happier when he missed a race. And I think overall, fans would be delighted if he took a sabbatical. It would probably mean there would be a decent fight for the championship either within Mercedes or maybe even with Verstappen involved in the fight.

I might be reading way too much into it. But I wonder how he reacted to seeing fans generally enthused by his absence. It's just the fact of having the best driver in the best car means there's no competition for the championship, but I imagine such a media conscious guy would have to have been affected by it.

 

[Franco Pinion]

With no contract signed yet, I wonder then is there any chance of Lewis Hamilton taking a sabbatical? And then coming back in 2022 with the new rules changes.

It's not beyond the realms of possibility, plus it would fit into his narrative about wanting to do other things. He could be involved in his activism while his profile is still high, reigning world champ and all that, and then come back in 2022 and fight for that 8th title.

Can't see that happening, I'd say he wants to extend his records as much as possible while Mercedes are on top.

 

[Son Of Jack]

Although I'm resigned to the fact that Hamilton will win the drivers championship and Mercedes the constructors, I'm looking forward to the changes in drivers and the new drivers this season.

 

[Legion]

I'm looking forward to the changes in drivers and the new drivers this season.

Not expecting much from McLaren this year unfortunately, they've spent all their tokens on the engine switch so I can't see them keeping up with the aero development other teams will have made.

 

[Deleted member 26]

Vettel's bald "patch".. ?

 

[Gromit]

Vettel's bald "patch"..

Vettel getting very aerodynamic, bit like myself.

Does anyone think Sainz will beat Leclerc this year?

 

[Son Of Jack]

Vettel's bald "patch".. ?

Vettel getting very aerodynamic, bit like myself.

I'm sure he had a LOT more hair a month ago. He is almost unrecognisable.

Does anyone think Sainz will beat Leclerc this year?

I reckon he'll run LeClerc a lot closer then people expect him to but ultimately, this year particularly, the team is built around LeClerc and not the new guy.