The 2020 Formula 1 season was unlike any other due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused constant changes in the schedule. Despite that, we still witnessed many exciting races, new winners and losers, and intense rivalries.
McLaren had their best performance since the team was established in 2012, while Ferrari had a disastrous season, their worst since 1980. Mercedes, on the other hand, continued to dominate and finished first in the two most important categories, including Hamilton’s championship win. Here are the drivers representing each team in the 2021 season.
Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas
Despite not having a contract for the 2021 season yet, it is almost certain that Hamilton will stay with Mercedes along with Bottas. This duo has proven to be a stable winning combination in the past few seasons, and Mercedes has no reason to change that.
Valtteri Bottas (left) and Hamilton (right).
Williams: George Russell and Nicholas Latifi
After racing for Mercedes in the Sakhir Grand Prix, there were rumors that Russell could be “promoted” from Williams. However, with Hamilton almost certain to stay at Mercedes and Bottas already signed, Russell will stay at Williams with his current teammate, Nicholas Latifi.
Nicholas Latifi (left) and George Russell.
Alfa Romeo: Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi
This team has never had speculation about changes, with both Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi confirmed to race in 2021 early on. The only question was whether Räikkönen would retire from F1 due to his age, but that did not happen in the end.
Antonio Giovanazzi (left) and Räikkönen.
Renault/Alpine: Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon
With Daniel Ricciardo leaving Renault and Renault changing its name to Alpine in 2021, the team had a gap in their lineup. Filling that gap will be Fernando Alonso, who is making a comeback after a hiatus. Having won two world championships (in 2005 and 2006) with Renault, Fernando Alonso also wants to return to a place where he was once successful.
Fernando Alonso is back in F1.
Esteban Ocon.
McLaren: Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris
After finishing third in the Constructor’s Championship, McLaren seems to continue that success not only by switching to Mercedes engines but also by gaining more experience within the team. Experienced driver Daniel Ricciardo will move from Renault and race alongside Lando Norris in the 2021 season.
Daniel Ricciardo will race for McLaren in the 2021 season.
Lando Norris.
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
After their worst season in 40 years in Formula 1, Ferrari hopes for better results in the upcoming season. After six years with the Italian team and a disappointing 2020 season, Sebastian Vettel will be replaced by Carlos Sainz, who is joining from McLaren. This driver will team up with Charles Leclerc for the upcoming season.
Charles Leclerc (left) and Carlos Sainz (right).
Aston Martin: Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll
Racing Point will be rebranded as Aston Martin in the 2021 season. With Carlos Sainz taking his place at Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel will move to Aston Martin along with Lance Stroll. This change means Sergio Pérez does not have an official position anymore.
Lance Stroll.
Sebastian Vettel moves from Ferrari to Aston Martin.
AlphaTauri: Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda
Pierre Gasly of AlphaTauri had an impressive performance in the past season, achieving his first win at Monza and finishing in 10th place in the Driver’s Championship. For these reasons, he will stay with the team. On the other hand, Daniil Kvyat will leave F1, and Yuki Tsunoda, who has been promoted from Red Bull’s F2 base team, will take his place.
Pierre Gasly.
Yuki Tsunoda will race for AlphaTauri in the 2021 F1 season.
Haas: Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin
Haas, the only American team in Formula 1, used to have experienced drivers Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen. However, none of them will race for the team in 2021 as Haas has taken a different direction and signed rookies Mick Schumacher, son of Michael Schumacher, and Nikita Mazepin, both making the jump to F1 from F2.
Mick Schumacher – Son of Michael Schumacher.
Nikita Mazepin.
Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez (Alex Albon reserve)
Last but not least, we want to mention Red Bull. After much consideration, it was officially confirmed that Sergio Pérez will join the team alongside Max Verstappen for the 2021 season, while Alex Albon will now be the reserve driver.
Pérez and Max Verstappen as former rivals.
While both Albon and Pérez have achieved 2 podium finishes and 5 top 5 finishes, Pérez finished 4th in the Driver’s Championship compared to Albon’s 7th, even with missing out on 2 races due to COVID-19. Pérez also secured his first F1 win at the Sakhir Grand Prix.
Currently, the expected schedule for the 2021 F1 season has been announced with 23 possible races. Most of the races canceled in the 2020 season due to COVID-19 are back on the calendar, except for the Vietnamese Grand Prix. However, Vietnamese F1 fans still hold hope as F1 has left a slot (TBC) on April 25, 2021, the original date for the 2020 Vietnamese Grand Prix.
Tới Nguyễn (Forum.autodaily.vn)
