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  • F1 2021: Bahrain Gp Preview – Red Bull Ready?

    F1 2021: Bahrain Gp Preview – Red Bull Ready?

    The 2020 Formula 1 season was groundbreaking and will be remembered for many reasons. Not least of all being that it was run and completed in the midst of a global pandemic. While the world is still fighting the battle against covid-19 Formula 1 is readying itself for a record-breaking 23 race season in 2021.

    Ten teams, twenty driver, and hundreds of team personnel will kick off F1 2021 F1 with the least amount of testing ever run before a new season. A total of three days was all the teams were prescribed to shake off the dust and begin the process of understanding what the respective factories have produced for the new year.

    The new racing season will start at Bahrain’s Sakhir International circuit this weekend. It’s a circuit well known to all with an interest in Formula 1 and one that, more often than not, produces an adrenaline-charged and engaging race under the flood lights. It isn’t the first time that Bahrain has hosted the season opener either. Back in 2006 the first race of the season was moved to the Middle Eastern track as Australia played host to the Commonwealth Games that year.

    Though the circuit might be familiar there are several enticing questions that accompany the start of the 2021 season. Mercedes has been the dominant force of the hybrid era, which was underlined by their utter command of 2020. Nevertheless, their ‘struggles’ in pre-season testing has been well documented. Lewis Hamilton himself appears convinced that Red Bull has the quicker car heading into the season and he isn’t often a man that utters untruths. Nevertheless, it remains a near unfathomable concept that Mercedes does not have the pace to occupy the front row of the grid nor the top step of the podium. But if it is the case then F1 fans are in for a monumental championship season.

    Nothing so far has suggested that the Red Bull is anything but a very quick car. In the hands of Max Verstappen, and perhaps even Checo Perez, it won’t be too bad a bet to stick some money on them for a win this weekend. If it is assured that Mercedes and Red Bull will occupy the top of the timing sheets then it is equally unsure as to which team comes next.

    There is quite a bit of excitement around McLaren but there is also an expectation that Ferrari has taken a step forward, especially on the power unit front. How will Fernando Alonso do in his first race back in the sport? And how will the rookies Mick Schumacher and the ever-exciting Yuki Tsunoda fare? Alpha Tauri turned an eye-catching pace in pre-season testing. But was it all just for show?

    The permutations and questions are seemingly endless of the eve of the new Formula 1 season. But that is what is building the 2021 season as possibly one of the most exciting in many a year. Simply put, it isn’t nearly as predictable, very little is a certainty, and you cannot afford to miss a single second.

    All images courtesy of Pirelli Motorsport
  • F1 2021: End-of-season Predictions

    F1 2021: End-of-season Predictions

    Formula 1 is likely one of the most difficult sports to predict accurately. There will be those who scoff at this and point to Mercedes’s six consecutive title-winning seasons as the perfect example of how predictable it is. But while championship glory is the ultimate prize there are so many more stories that combine to make Formula 1 the greatest sport in the world.

    After a brutal half-season at Red Bull who would’ve predicted that Pierre Gasly so brilliantly rise to the occasion and end 2020 as a race winner? And who would’ve thought that Sergio Perez would win in Bahrain much less be signed up to Red Bull for 2021? And even fewer would’ve expected Ferrari not to keep Seb Vettel in their stable. The point here is that as much predictability as there can be in F1 there can be equally if not more unpredictability too. And on that note let’s set some of our own predictions for 2021. Now, these may well not pan out the way we expect heck they probably won’t, it is F1 after all. But if they do we’ll be happy to take credit and equally as happy to admit that we were wrong after a lengthy steward’s enquiry has been conducted.

    We return to some predictions made all the way back in February this year to gauge how right or wrong we were. 

    Most improved driver

    Natalie:

    Seb Vettel has endured two and a half miserable seasons at Ferrari. Up to the mid-point of 2018, Vettel looked strong and very much on course to push Lewis Hamilton all the way to the ragged edge for the title. But it spectacularly unravelled and Ferrari fell dramatically by the wayside in succeeding years.

    Some would say that Vettel has lost his edge but it might well be a case of Ferrari simply sucking the life out of him. He simply hasn’t looked like the jovial driver we have come to know. With Aston Martin, he may not be challenging for the title but Vettel has a great chance to re-ignite his passion for the sport and to re-discover what has made him one of the greats. The prediction is for Vettel to be on the podium in 2021 and to remind everyone of just how good he is.

    End-of-season result: While Seb Vettel did, technically, stand on the podium in Hungary he didn’t quite fulfil the lofty expectations set for him before the start of the season. Though he did get to keep his Baku podium finish. 

    Final Opinion: Most improved driver – Carlos Sainz. The Spanish driver took like a duck to water in the Ferrari and not only underlined his inherent speed but also beat his highly-rated teammate, Charles Leclerc, to fifth in the driver’s standings. 

    Our tech writer:

    I’m not one to agree with Natalie very quickly and this is no exception. There are quite a few that could be seen as most improved for the year. Sergio Perez is one of the names that come to mind. The Mexican is more mature, he’s measured in his approach and he has a new team to get settled in. Being at Red Bull won’t be very easy. The team is built around Max Verstappen after all. There will be a huge expectation on Perez to beat or just get close to Verstappen. It’s a long shot but my money is on Perez. Honourable mention here for Ricciardo and Stroll.

    End-of-season result: I was wildly off with the Ricciardo prediction. Perez didn’t do too bad but not great either. Perez blew hot and cold throughout the season. He delivered when it counted.

    Final Opinion: Have to go with Sainz. He did well with McLaren the previous season and then got to Ferrari and was classified every race this season leading to his P5 position in the driver’s championship. Mr Consistency this season.

    Driver of the year

    Natalie:

    For some time Sergio Perez has been steadily plugging away, scoring points, and holding Racing Point together. He’d had a chance in 2013 at McLaren but it came to early on in the Mexican’s career and he never found his groove. Perez stepped up to a new level in 2020 and is very likely to build on this. In 2021 he will have a car capable of winning races. His experience, consistency, and speed will combine to catapult Checo Perez into the upper echelon of the grid.

    End-of-season result: Checo had some real struggles matching teammate Verstappen, but who can blame him really. 

    Final Opinion: 10 race wins and 10 pole positions combine to make Max Verstappen not only the 2021 champion but also the best driver of the year. His drives in France and Texas stand out the most. 

    Our tech writer:

    The best driver of the turbo-hybrid era has to be Lewis Hamilton. He’s in the best car and his performances have just been on another level to his peers. If he takes his 8th world title there’s no doubt he takes driver of the year.

    Final Opinion: I’d still put Hamilton as the driver of the year. His ability to focus and put in performance after performance to narrow the championship gap down to zero coming into the final race of the season is what a 7-time world champion would do. He fought with everything till the chequered flag in the last race.

    Most improved team

    Natalie:

    McLaren is already on a solid upwards trajectory and it will continue in 2021. Not only is the Mercedes engine being installed in the back of the McLaren chassis but they have also welcomed Daniel Ricciardo to the team. The Aussie will find his feet quickly and when he does he is a proven superstar that will deliver for McLaren.

    End-of-season result: McLaren faded a bit towards the end of the season but they delivered a stellar racing year including a brilliant one-two finish at Monza. 

    Final Opinion: Sticking with McLaren. 

    Our tech writer:

    Ferrari has a low base to work from. 2020 was abysmal for the Scuderia. Some restructuring went on at the office and no doubt some shiny new toys in the factory to improve the car. There are some positive noises coming out of Maranello pre-testing regarding the power unit. Aerodynamically they’ve been making some strides throughout 2020 and seem to be on some sort of pathway. And with Charles Leclerc who’s now the de-facto leader in the team, will be chomping at the bit to get going this season.

    End-of-season result: Ferrari started there about, a slight slump in the midseason saw them drop below McLaren in the constructor’s championship. They kept at it and improved the car and ended up securing third in the championship. Finishing best of the rest is the consolation prize when you’re well and truly beaten every weekend. Special mention to Williams who finished ahead of Alfa Romeo in the standings. Another special mention to Alphatauri and their battle with Alpine. Franz Tost was aiming for P5. They were just beaten to it at the end by Alpine. 

    Final Opinion: Ferrari.

     

    Constructor’s title

    Natalie:

    This is the type of predication that could very well not come to fruition but we’re going to make it anyway. The combination of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez is one that can deliver big points race-in-and-race-out. Red Bull unlocked some of their potential towards the end of 2020 and with a point-scoring machine like Perez in the car, they have a great opportunity of snatching this trophy.

    End-of-season result: Checo Perez’s struggle to get comfortable in the Red Bull were slightly underestimated. But he certainly did the job in Abu Dhabi, didn’t he?

    Final Opinion: Mercedes definitely deserved an 8th constructor’s title. There’s no doubt they were nerfed a bit by the new regs, as it customary in F1. There was no doubt a monumental effort to get the car into shape and it showed. 

    Our tech writer:

    Constructors title No. 8 for Mercedes. I just don’t see any other team that’s able to challenge the Silver Arrows this year.

    End-of-season result: Red Bull got close. A couple of unlucky races for them together with some poor showings from Perez cost them the constructors title at the end. 

    Final Opinion: Well deserved by Mercedes.

     

    Driver’s title

    Natalie:

    When he eventually puts pen to paper on his contract Lewis Hamilton is the likely shoo-in for the driver’s title. A couple of early wins in the season to build his own momentum and to see if the short-term ‘threat’ of Valtteri Bottas and he should be well on his way to title number eight.   

    End-of-season result: Who would’ve thought that 2021 would finally see the end of Hamilton’s domination. He gave it all he had though in a season that will be remembered for all of time. 

    Final Opinion: Max Verstappen’s triumph as driver’s champion comes after an unforgettable season and it is richly deserved. Super Max!

    Our tech writer:

    I see I’m going to have to agree with Natalie on something! Bottas 4.0 or whatever version we’re on, it just seemed like beta testing all this time. It’s going to be Hamilton unless something drastic happens and we have Verstappen sneaking past at the end. That will be a coup for the bookies. Worth a fiver on Verstappen for the title then?

    Final Opinion: Did anyone place their bets on Verstappen? People were ready to tear them up by lap 1 of the Abu Dhabi GP race. Something drastic did happen a few laps from the end and Verstappen snatched his first world title at the end. 

     

    2021 has been a season of anxiety, entertainment, controversy, penalties, and most of all – unpredictability. It is likely to be remembered as certainly the best season of the Hybrid era and definitely as one of the greatest of all time. 

  • F1 2020: Abu Dhabi Gp Review – Clinical Verstappen signs off season

    F1 2020: Abu Dhabi Gp Review – Clinical Verstappen signs off season

    The saying goes that good things are worth waiting for. Red Bull have lived this adage more than most in 2020 as it was only at final race weekend that Max Verstappen could secure his first pole position of the season.

    It was a stunning lap from the Dutch driver to edge out Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton by less than a tenth of a second. It may have taken seventeen qualifying sessions to secure the first place on the starting grid but it proved to be the perfect launching pad towards Verstappen’s tenth career win.

    The Red Bull driver led cleanly off the line and easily gapped Bottas who in turn was able to pull away from Hamilton in third. A brief virtual safety car, which turned in a full safety car, to scoop up the stricken Racing Point of Sergio Perez prompted most of the field into the pits. But still Verstappen was unflappable in the lead of the race. Though the Abu Dhabi grand prix left a lot to be desired in terms of entertainment it was a brilliantly controlled and clinical drive from Verstappen.

    For once Mercedes had no answer to the Red Bull’s pace. Second-placed Bottas never got closer than two and a half seconds and eventually finished more than ten seconds adrift by the time the chequered flag fell. Lewis Hamilton made his return after testing positive for Covid-19 but finished an unspectacular third. For most of the weekend Hamilton did appear low on energy and the 7-time champion confirmed afterwards that it was one of the most physical races he’d ever completed.   Alex Albon came home in fourth and will now have to wait for news on his future with Red Bull.

    2020 Abu Dhabi GPIt was a standout day for McLaren and Lando Norris led home teammate in Carlos Sainz in fifth and sixth respectively. The haul of eighteen points secures third place in the Constructor’s championship for McLaren. It is an especially extraordinary achievement for a team who just three years ago finished ninth out of ten teams with a paltry thirty points on the board for the entire season. To affect such a stunning turnaround in not very much time is a testament not only to the designers of the car but to the management of Andreas Seidl and Zak Brown and the ability of Norris and Sainz to not only unite the team but to also deliver on track.

    Daniel Ricciardo signed off his final race at Renault with a solid seventh place finish ahead of Monza race-winner Pierre Gasly in eighth. Esteban Ocon was ninth in the other Renault while Lance Stroll could register only one point in tenth. In what has been a difficult season for all Ferrari-powered cars Kimi Raikkonen finished twelfth ahead of both works Ferrari drivers with Charles Leclerc leading home Seb Vettel, in his last race for the Scuderia, in thirteenth and fourteenth. As it were Perez was the only retirement from the race. The Mexican driver is seemingly out of the F1 picture for 2021 with only the merest of hope resting with a possible call up to Red Bull.

    That Verstappen is ready to fight for a world championship is not in doubt. He showed his class once again with a faultless drive to win in Abu Dhabi. Though the Mercedes juggernaut is likely to roll on in 2021 Red Bull’s performances in the final third of this season presents a glimmer of hope. With Verstappen and the fairly unchanged regulations for next year 2021 may not be as straightforward as it appears.  The good news is that there is only 93 days until we find out if Red Bull and perhaps even Ferrari have what it takes to challenge Mercedes.

    All images courtesy of Pirelli Motorsport
  • F1 2020: Sakhir GP Review – Vamos Checo!

    F1 2020: Sakhir GP Review – Vamos Checo!

    Several months ago Formula 1 announced that it would race around the outer loop of the Bahrain International circuit. Some speculation was abounding as to what a race around the short circuit could produce. But not even the wildest theories could have predicted the race it ultimately delivered.

    The week started with the good news of Romain Grosjean’s release from hospital after a stunning crash just days earlier in the Bahrain grand prix. This was followed by the announcement that Lewis Hamilton had tested positive for COVID and would not race in the penultimate round of the season. The seat should technically have gone to reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne but George Russell was drafted in instead.

    The current Williams driver has rarely put a foot wrong in his nearly two seasons in F1 and it would be the golden opportunity for Russell to put the best of his skills on show. And deliver he most certainly did. He missed out on pole to Bottas by 0.026 but already there were signs that he was well capable of delivering something special on Sunday. He aced the start and stole into the lead of the race as if he’d done it a hundred times before. Behind a coming together between Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez forced Max Verstappen into taking avoiding action. Unfortunately for the Red Bull driver he couldn’t avoid the barrier and along with Leclerc ended his race on lap one while Perez dropped to eighteenth overall.

    Russell led his Mercedes teammate Bottas comfortably for the majority of the race and looked well on course for an extraordinary win. He’d managed the first round of pitstops and a virtual safety car with aplomb. The Safety Car was called upon on lap 63 as Jack Aitken, Russell’s replacement at Williams, left debris on the exit of the final corner after brushing the barrier. Both Mercs were called into the pits for fresh rubber. Uncharacteristically, utter confusion reigned amongst the Merc pitcrew who fitted the wrong tyres to Russell’s car. It forced another pitstop to correct error but still Russell emerged in fifth with some hope of regaining the lead. He made short work of Bottas, Lance Stroll, and Esteban Ocon to run second in just a few laps. By now Perez had driven a stunning recovery right into the lead of the race. But just as Russell began to close the gap to the race leader he was called back into the pits with a slow puncture.

    2020 Sakhir GPHe emerged in fourteenth and was able to recover to ninth overall and set the fastest lap of the race. It was utterly gutting for Russell who was well in control and looked set to take victory. It may be scant consolation right now by Russell’s time will come. To be parachuted into a completely new environment behind the wheel of a completely new car is a monumental undertaking. George Russell has proven, unequivocally, that he is the man for Mercedes in the future.

    As heartbreaking as the unraveling of Russell’s race may have been there was utter elation as for the first time in his 190-race career Sergio Perez claimed the top step of the podium. And by coming from eighteenth to first he did it in supreme style. The Mexican driver has stood on the podium on several previous occasions but never on the top step and he was understandably emotional. Esteban Ocon too delivered a high-class drive into second to secure the first podium of his career. The day though belonged thorough to Racing Point who also saw Lance Stroll on the podium in third.

    In fourth place was Carlos Sainz for McLaren and Daniel Ricciardo was sixth in the other Renault as Alex Albon completed a fairly anonymous race in seventh. The history books will show that Bottas finished eighth ahead of Russell ninth but he, and everyone who was paying attention, will know that he was outdriven on the day. Lando Norris scored the final point on offer for McLaren in tenth.

    As it stands Perez does not have a seat on the grid for 2021. Rumours have been lingering that he may have a chance at a Red Bull seat and he has undoubtedly given them something a bit more to think about.

    All images courtesy of Pirelli Motorsport

  • 2020 Formula 1 Sakhir Grand Prix – Preview

    2020 Formula 1 Sakhir Grand Prix – Preview

    The fast paced world of F1 tends to move very quickly. This week in the run-up to the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix it moved just that little bit quicker.

    The good news kept flowing this week with arguably one of the biggest stories of the week is that Romain Grosjean, who suffered burns to his hands in the horror crash in the opening lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix last week, was discharged from hospital and he is his usual smiling self. Grosjean kept fans updated through his various social media channels throughout the weekend and fans were delighted to see him back on his feet and with people around him.

    In more great news, the Schumacher name returns to Formula 1. Mick Schumacher was announced as a Haas driver from 2021. Schumacher has been quite impressive in F2 this year. His consistency has been paying off and he is in line to win the 2020 F2 title. He has caught the eye of the big wigs in Maranello and will be watched very closely. The Schumacher name in F1 comes with a huge amount of expectation and pressure with young Mick which he has so far handled very well. F1 is much more intense with increased media pressure and the expectation to perform. Time will be the judge of how Mick handles all of this in the coming years.

    Alongside Mick Schumacher in the Haas garage in 2021 will be Pietro Fittipaldi who will also sub in for Grosjean this weekend.

    In slightly dissappointing news mixed with some good news was that Lewis Hamilton had tested positive for SARS COV-2 the day after the Bahrain Grand Prix. This means that he will this weekend’s upcoming race. The twitterverse was buzzing with potential substitues as to who can replace Hamilton. Mercedes’ current reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne and Williams’ George Russell were front runners for the seat. It was eventually announced that George Russell will sub in for Hamilton after Williams relesed him for the weeked. Jack Aitken will sub in for Russell for this weekend at Williams.

     

    While we stay at the Bahrain International Circuit this weekend, a different track layout will be used this weekend. The outer-track which is just another layout of the entire circuit complex and it will be used for the first time with F1 cars.
    The outer-track is 3.543 with 11 corners. There are three straights with a sweeping middle sector. Simulations predict that we will get sub-60-second lap times. With the speeds, the 2020 F1 cars reach it will be a sight to behold. Downforce should be close to Monza levels this weekends so we should see some speed records take a tumble.

    With the Constructors championship and drivers championship sewn up by Mercedes and Hamilton respectively, the attention turns to the best of the rest. Second place in the drivers’ championship is close between Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen with just 12 points separating the two.
    The constructor’s fight is for P3 at the moment between McLaren currently in 3rd, Racing Point in 4th and McLaren in 5th. The double DNF by Racing Point last week did not help them much which allowed McLaren to move ahead in the points. It will be intense between the three teams in the final two races of the season.

    This year has been quite different compared with other years. The lockdown has made us do things differently, the pandemic has us testing our mental strength and mental health. We’ve all dealt with things in our own way. While we were all ecstatic that the F1 season was able to get off the ground after a disastrous start in Australia, let us not forget the toll it has taken on the people working behind the scenes. They have worked tirelessly to bring us the F1 production, they have built and rebuilt cars weekend after weekend, they have transported things across country borders. And they’ve done this with great pride and for that, we should give thanks to each and every one of the individuals involved. We are in the home stretch. Let us see it through, and let us get there safely.

  • F1 2020: Bahrain Gp Review – F1 Safety the Winner

    F1 2020: Bahrain Gp Review – F1 Safety the Winner

    A cursory glance at the results of the weekend’s F1 race would reveal another seemingly comfortable victory for Lewis Hamilton ahead of Max Verstappen and Alex Albon. But it would not even begin to tell the story of the 2020 Bahrain grand prix.

    The race was immediately brought to stop after only three corners. From the wide shot it appeared that a car had made impact with the outside barrier on turn three and burst into flames. It was a sight highly uncommon in Formula 1. It was soon confirmed that the driver involved was Romain Grosjean. Due to the seriousness of the crash and a lack of immediate information on the driver’s conditions no replays were shown of the incident. Several moments later however the broadcast cameras picked up Grosjean being assisted away from the scene by Dr. Ian Roberts and medical car driver Alan van der Merwe.

    With Grosjean seemingly without serious injury the replays were broadcast. The horrific images revealed that the Haas had split into upon impact and that the front section had pierced the steel barrier. The medical car, which always follows the field at the start of a race, stopped at the scene moments later. Ian Roberts ran towards the raging flames as marshals and Alan van der Merwe attempted to douse the fire with extinguishers. Dr. Roberts later reported that the fire extinguisher pushed the flames back just enough for him to assist Grosjean over what was left of the barrier. As it were Grosjean was in the burning car for roughly twenty seconds before being able to pull himself out. He suffered second-degree burns on his hands and some burns to his left foot. Dr. Roberts also reported that the visor on Grosjean’s was melted. It is believed that the impact of the car with the barrier was registered at 221km/h and 53G.

    From the monocoque, to the safety belts, to the fireproof overalls everything worked in unison in the crash to allow Grosjean to walk away with only minor injuries. And there was one other piece of equipment that ensured his survival, the Halo. The burnt monocoque was unrecognizable but clearly showed the halo head protection system completely intact. From early assessments, by Ross Brawn and others, it is clear that the Halo had played a significant role in saving Romain Grosjean’s life. There should never again be a discussion about the Halo’s inclusion in the sport and any and all detractors would be best served by keeping their asinine opinions to themselves.

    Bahrain 2020_Grosjean_FireThe red flag lasted from more than an hour as track workers replaced the destroyed barrier. The race barely got underway before the safety car was called upon. This time it was Lance Stroll who found himself upside down in the Racing Point after a coming together with Dannil Kvyat. Thankfully, Stroll was uninjured. Racing resumed with Hamilton in the lead and Verstappen in second.

    The Merc driver was able to maintain a gap of around four seconds to the Red Bull for most of the race. Verstappen made a late pitstop for fresh tyres and an attempt at the fastest lap. Sergio Perez had been running solidly in third for the majority of the race but was forced into retirement with only three laps to go. As it were Albon inherited third place.

    McLaren completed a good day at the office with Lando Norris in fourth and Carlos Sainz in fifth. The Alpha Tauri of Pierre Gasly was sixth ahead of Ricciardo in seventh. Bottas, who had suffered an early puncture, was eighth while Ocon and Leclerc was ninth and tenth.

    As fans of the sport we always hope for a spectacle, an edge-of-the-seat race that gets the heart pumping. But on this occasion the anti-climax at the end of it was welcomed. Absolute safety in F1 can never be guaranteed. But because of the work that has been done by the likes of Sir Jackie Stewart, Prof. Sid Watkins, Alex Wurz, and so many others Romain Grosjean was able to walk away from a horrifying crash. We owe all of them the greatest debt of gratitude.

  • F1 2020: Bahrain Gp Preview – From Bore to Brilliant

    F1 2020: Bahrain Gp Preview – From Bore to Brilliant

    In the next two weeks there will be races in Bahrain. Although they make place in the same country and even at the same venue they will be markedly different.

    This weekend’s race will be run on the traditional Sakhir International circuit that has been known to F1 fans since its debut in 2004. The Bahrain grand prix made history as the first F1 race to be held in the Middle East. For all of the plaudits it received for its seamless organization the first ten races at the Bahrain grand prix simply didn’t deliver in terms of entertainment. In fact, so dull and uninspiring were the races here that it was dubbed ‘Bore-rain’ for a good number of years. But since it’s switch to a night race in 2014 it has come alive. That very first night race, now know as the ‘Duel in the desert’, delivered a monumental battle between then Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg that ebbed and flowed through the entire grand prix and dramatically climaxed with the two drivers banging wheels throughout the closing laps.

    Next weekend’s race will look significantly different as the ultra-high speed outer loop of the Sakhir circuit will be utilized by F1 for the first time. For now though the established Sakhir circuit will be the focus as the 2020 draws to its conclusion. The circuit is a highly technical one with several opportunities for overtaking. Red Bull and Ferrari have opted for a more cautious approach in terms of tyre selection by choosing three sets of the hard compound while Hamilton has chosen to go with one set. “It is always tough of tyres so it will be important to find a good set-up to work around that,” said Max Verstappen.

    Rosberg_Bahrain2014The driver and constructor’s championship titles have been won and just about all the seats for 2021 have been settled. Officially Lewis Hamilton has not signed a deal to remain at Mercedes. But unless he is contemplating a shock exit ala Rosberg in 2016, which is not unthinkable, the expectation is that he will put pen to paper at the end of the season. As it stands 2021 is already set to commence in noteworthy fashion for Hamilton who will receive a knighthood in the New Year’s honours list. It is expected too that Haas F1 will announce the signing of F2 drivers Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher for next year, which leaves only Red Bull to confirm who will be driving alongside Verstappen in 2021. All indications are that the team want to re-sign Alex Albon but have hesitated given his lack of pace compared to teammate Verstappen. But Sergio Perez is lurking in the background as an enticing option for Red Bull. Therefore, the double-header in Bahrain is crucial to Albon’s chances of remaining as a Red Bull driver for 2021.

    In 2019 Charles Leclerc came achingly close to his first career win in Bahrain only to be felled by reliability. But the 2020 F1 season has been a completely different story for Ferrari who has raced, mostly, as part of the midfield. The Turkish grand prix saw Ferrari well and truly in the mix for the first time this season and after a difficult season Seb Vettel has said that he is finally comfortable with the 2020 Ferrari. Bahrain will be a good measure to see whether Ferrari’s pace in Turkey was a flash in a pan or a genuine uptick in overall pace.

  • F1 2020: Turkish Gp Review – Hamilton, 7 times World Champion

    F1 2020: Turkish Gp Review – Hamilton, 7 times World Champion

    At 2004 Belgian grand prix Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher became a seven times Formula 1 world champion. There was seemingly no end to the Schumacher/Ferrari behemoth and there was certainly no fathomable thought that one day the record could be matched.

    Sixteen years later we stand in a moment that has seen Schumacher’s record equaled by Lewis Hamilton. The British drove as brilliantly as he ever has to deliver a stellar race victory in Turkey, which has taken him to an incredible seventh world title.

    Mercedes and Hamilton may have ultimately climbed onto the top step of the podium in Turkey but it was far from the straightforward stroll to victory that most have become accustomed too. Saturday belonged very much to Lance Stroll as the Canadian driver snatched a breathtaking pole position in treacherously slippery conditions. His Racing Point teammate Sergio Perez was third on the grid while Max Verstappen was second quickest. As the race settled and Stroll pulled away to the tune of more than a second a lap Seb Vettel emerged in fourth from eleventh on the grid. The Ferrari seemed to come alive in the wet conditions as he easily held of Hamilton for the better part of the race. Meanwhile Valtteri Bottas’s afternoon is best forgotten as the Finn swapped ends at least four times in the race. As if to add insult to serious embarrassment Bottas was also eventually lapped by teammate Hamilton.

    A rare mistake from Hamilton allowed Alex Albon and his Red Bull teammate Verstappen through into fourth and fifth with Stroll building a lead of more than ten seconds over the chasing pack after the first round of stops. It was during this phase of the race that Red Bull looked easily the favourites to win the race. Nevertheless, a rash decision from Verstappen to attempt an overtake on Perez around the outside of turn 11 sent the Dutchman into a spin and needing to pit for new intermediate tyres.

    2020 Turkish GPBy lap 29 it was clear that the Racing Points were struggling with overheated inters as Albon, Vettel, and Hamilton quickly eroded the gap to the leaders. Stroll’s dilemma became greater the more the track dried. However, it wasn’t dry enough for slick tyres forcing just about everyone to fit new intermediate tyres in the second pitstop phase. But as Stroll faded dramatically from contention Hamilton and Perez persevered on the worn inters. But it was Hamilton who clearly had the better pace as he swept into the lead of the race and drove off into the distance.

    Ferrari’s good pace was underlined by Charles Leclerc who charged into third place in the final few laps of the race. The Monegasque driver challenged Perez for second but failed to make the move stick and ran wide at turn 12. The mistake allowed Vettel, easily one of the best drivers of the day, into third while a disappointed Leclerc finished fourth. Carlos Sainz delivered an excellent drive into fifth for McLaren as Verstappen and Albon had to be content with sixth and seventh overall. Lando Norris made it a double points score for McLaren in eighth as pole-sitter and early race leader Stroll trundled home in a disappointing ninth. Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo scored the final point on offer in tenth.

    The Turkish grand prix, its exceptionally slippery track surface, the wet weather and an on point Lewis Hamilton combined to deliver an unforgettable race. Eventually, Hamilton recovered from being a pitstop behind, wore his intermediate tyres down to slicks and won the race by a staggering 30 seconds. After fourteen seasons in the sport and 93 wins it was brilliant a drive as Silverstone in 2008 or Hungary in 2013 or Germany 2018. And there’s no sign that the motivation or the hunger is waning.

    The perennial  ‘who is the greatest of all time’ debate is sure to carry on. Is it any of Fangio, or Lauda, or Senna, or Schumacher? Or is it Lewis Hamilton? The answer is startlingly easy. It is none of them and all of them. In each of their respective eras these giants of the sport have defined Formula 1. There is no singular greatest driver of all time for the simple fact that all of these monumental achievements merit respect and reverence. Not least of all are the immense feats of one Lewis Hamilton. We are all indelibly privileged to bear witness to this greatness.

  • F1 2020: Turkish Gp Preview – Return to Istanbul Park

    F1 2020: Turkish Gp Preview – Return to Istanbul Park

    If you are a fairly new fan of Formula 1 you may not be all that familiar with the Istanbul Park circuit in Turkey. The anti-clockwise circuit, designed by Herman Tilke, was first introduced in 2005. Due to the worldwide pandemic it makes it’s re-introduction to the calendar for the first time since 2011.

    F1 has moved on a fair bit since the last Turkish grand prix. Aside from the worldwide pandemic making short work of the official race calendar much has changed in the sport that never sleeps. For one 2011 would have seen the sport in the thick of the Red Bull and Seb Vettel period of domination with Mercedes trundling around as nothing more than midfield contenders. There would be no inkling of a Max Verstappen nor a Charles Leclerc let alone the suggestion that Vettel himself would pull up stakes and swop Red Bull for Ferrari red. The turbo-hybrid era too was still a few years off as in 2011 F1 cars were still being pushed around the circuits of the world by a screaming V8. Heck not only was Lewis Hamilton still a McLaren driver but he had just one championship title under his belt.

    Along with Malaysia’s Sepang circuit the 5.3 km Turkish circuit is widely regarded as some of track designer Tilke’s best work in F1. Turn one is akin to Brazil’s Senna S and has been compared to Laguna Seca’s corkscrew albeit with a slightly less dramatic dip. The famed turn 8 is a quadruple-apex left-hander that truly tested not only the prowess of an F1 car but also the commitment of the driver. In 2020 the once fearsome turn 8 will be far easier to negotiate for the modern F1 car. In fact, the expectation is for the cars to blast flat out around turn 8. Nevertheless, the circuit does present several overtaking opportunities and DRS too will have a bigger impact, especially when used on the back strait.

    McLaren-Kimi-Raikkonen-Is-007The first race in 2005 was won by then McLaren driver Kimi Raikkonen. One year later a 19-year-old Vettel made his F1 debut in a 2006 practice session for BMW Sauber. 2006 was also the year in which Felipe Massa earned his first pole position and race win and proceeded to take three wins in a row around the Istanbul Park. A few years later in 2010 Vettel, now at Red Bull, would dramatically crash with teammate Mark Webber.

    It is very much a foregone conclusion that Mercedes go into the weekend as the favourites for victory. Last time out at Imola has already seen the team claim a record-breaking seventh constructor’s title and this weekend presents the first opportunity for Hamilton to clinch a seventh driver’s championship title.

    The permutations are straightforward for Hamilton too. Currently, the six-time champion holds an 84-point lead over teammate Valtteri Bottas with a maximum of 104 points still on the table. Hamilton needs only to finish ahead of teammate Bottas to be crowned world champion. Bottas, as the only driver able to ‘challenge’ for the title, must outscore Hamilton by eight points to move the fight for the championship on to the next race. Stranger things have certainly happened in the past. However, barring unreliability it is difficult to imagine that Hamilton won’t leave Turkey as a seven times world champion.

  • F1 2020: Portugeuse Gp Review – Rampant Hamilton breaks Record

    F1 2020: Portugeuse Gp Review – Rampant Hamilton breaks Record

    On 1 October 2006 Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher climbed to the top step of the podium for the 91st time in his Formula 1 career. It was a staggering record and it seemed unfathomable that it would be broken soon, if ever. The very next year, in 2007, a youngster by the name of Lewis Hamilton would make his debut in Formula 1. Later that season he’d win his first race around Canada’s circuit Gilles Villeneuve. And in 2020 on a cloudy Algarve afternoon he’d step onto the top step of the podium for win number 92. To witness any driver’s rise through to the top is a privilege. But, with a staggering 183 wins between them, it is a glorious honour to have witnessed the two most successful Formula 1 drivers of all time.

    Lewis Hamilton crushed Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas to the tune of 25 seconds as he headed to a record-breaking win in Portugal. Thought Bottas had looked the quicker of the Mercs for the majority of the weekend when it mattered most Hamilton was able to best him, as usual. As qualifying went the way of Hamilton so too did the race. But for a brief number of laps when Bottas took the lead of the race there wasn’t much in the way of a fight from the Finn. Verstappen, in third, didn’t have the pace to challenge the Mercs and was consigned to his customary third place.

    Mercedes’s choice to start the grand prix on the medium compound invited a modicum of trouble at the start of the race as neither Bottas nor Hamilton’s tyres were up to temperature as the lights went out.  By lap 2 Carlos Sainz, on the red-walled soft tyre, leapt into the lead of the race and ran in P1 for six laps before the McLaren succumbed to the much faster Mercedes pair. Kimi Raikkonen too made the most of an incredible getaway as he rocketed from 16th to 6th by the end of lap one. Verstappen had a slight coming together with Sergio Perez which dropped the Racing Point driver out of the points but not out of the race entirely with the clash being deemed a racing incident by the stewards.

    2020 Portuguese GPA clash between Lance Stroll and Lando Norris earned both drivers front-wing damage. And in addition to spinning off Stroll was slapped with a five-second penalty for causing a collision. Up ahead Hamilton finally had enough temperature in his medium tyres and quickly swept into the lead of the race. He easily gapped Bottas to hold an eight second gap by the halfway point of the race. Verstappen, who stopped earlier than the front two, was clearly not able to match the pace of Mercedes and found himself more than a pitstop adrift of the race leader.

    Meanwhile Charles Leclerc drove a stellar race for Ferrari to finish in P4 ahead of the continually impressive Pierre Gasly in fifth. Early race leader Carlos Sainz ultimately finished sixth ahead of Perez who recovered to an impressive seventh after his lap one tangle with Verstappen. Esteban Ocon played the long game on strategy by running a 53-lap opening stint on the medium tyre which netted him a fine eighth place ahead of his Renault teammate Daniel Ricciardo in ninth and Seb Vettel scored the final point on offer in tenth. Kimi Raikkonen ultimately ended the race in 11th but the Alfa Romeo driver certainly deserved some points for an excellent race. Not only did he ace the opening stint of the race but he also ran a 55-lap stint on the medium tyre and kept Ricciardo’s well in sight for most of the race in what was quit a phenomenal drive. For Valtteri Bottas it isn’t so much back to the drawing board as the championship for 2020 is all but over. In reality, the chances of the Finn winning the title have been minute for some time. But Hamilton continues to drive the point home with devastating frequency.

    Ninety-two race wins, ninety-seven poles and soon seven world titles. The numbers are simultaneously astonishing and unsurprising. Since that first race win in 2007 there’s always been something intangibly brilliant about Lewis Hamilton. Ninety-two wins does not simply happen. There has to be something, someone rather special behind the wheel too.

    All images courtesy of Pirelli Motorsport