Formula 1 - Season 2021

[genius83]

F1 Fans!!!!
Welcome to the Season 2021 thread!

Formula1 Fan Club
Posting Rules
1) No Spamming.
2) No Racism.
3) No Abusive Words, Personal attacks will be tolerated.
4) Do not copy paste the whole article and news items, please provide the link to the original source.
5) Standard PakWheels Rules Apply.

Discussion Archives

2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020

Live Timing

Directo.thef1.es

[genius83]

Leclerc not Ferrari’s ‘number one’ after Vettel’s exit – Binotto
Charles Leclerc has not been elevated to a ‘number one’ role within Ferrari’s line-up following the departure of Sebastian Vettel, team principal Mattia Binotto has said.

Start of 2021 F1 season likely to be delayed amid doubt over Australian GP
The Australian Grand Prix is likely to be postponed due to concerns over Covid-19, forcing a delay to the start of the 2021 F1 season.

[zia1288]

Has contract between LH & Mercedes been signed yet or not?

[genius83]

Norris announces he has tested positive for Covid-19
Lando Norris has announced he has tested positive for Covid-19, becoming the fourth Formula 1 driver to do so.

Williams to use Mercedes gearboxes from 2022
Williams have announced an expansion of their technical co-operation with power unit supplier Mercedes.

F1 races to start on the hour again in 2021
Formula 1 plans to reinstate the practice of starting races on the hour this year, RaceFans has learned.

Algarve and Imola in the frame to hold races as China joins at-risk list
Formula 1 is closing on a return to both Portugal’s Algarve circuit and Imola in Italy this year as the pandemic puts multiple early-season fly-away races in jeopardy.

@zia1288
The contract has not been signed yet as the rumours are Hamilton wants a 2+2 year contract while Mercedes wants a 2+1 year contract. There are other points to that are still in negotiations like the off the track duties, sponsor duties and other stuff like that..

[zia1288]

How come cricket matches are being allowed with crowd in Australia and concerns over F1 race?

[genius83]

Can McLaren finish third again in 2021? Zak Brown assesses their key rivals
McLaren prevailed in a closely-fought fight for third place in the constructors championship in 2020, achieving their best finishing position for eight years.

Suzuki “shocked” as Moto GP team boss Brivio leaves ahead of expected move to Alpine
Moto GP team Suzuki says it is shocked by the departure of principal Davide Brivio, who is expected to join Alpine’s Formula 1 programme.

Aston Martin reveals Cognizant as title sponsor in first glimpse of F1 team livery
Aston Martin has announced Cognizant, an American digital services firm, as its title sponsor for the 2021 F1 season.

Why Stroll calls Aston Martin’s multi-year Cognizant tie-up a “Lawrence-star” deal
Aston Martin F1 team owner Lawrence Stroll says their new title sponsorship deal with IT firm Cognizant reflects his desire to align the luxury car manufacturer with “titans of industry”.

@zia1288
The difference between amount of equipment of both sports is what cause these concerns, a cricket team consist of 18 players plus about 8 to 10 management staff. Their playing equipment is also small enough that one Boeing 777 could take them to their destination. On the other hand F1 needs to move about 10 to 15 times more people and enough cargo containers that they need to book them in a month or so advance.

Plus Melbourne's track is not a permanent track as it is a public park so they have to setup the whole track about a month in advance and close different public roads for nearly a week to 10 days for moving the equipment in and out of the track for the event. So they also want to know whether they have to make the effort or not.

[zia1288]

That's true but I was talking about the spectators in cricket matches being played in Australia. It was nearly full. Comparatively the number of persons of teams would be much lower. Anyhow lets hope for a timely and exciting season.

[genius83]

Electrification and lower-carbon fuels are right direction for F1 – Mercedes
Mercedes believes Formula 1’s advances in hybrid powertrain technology and lower carbon fuels will bring benefits for the development of its road cars.

Ferrari target third place but are wary of rivals’ tokens advantage
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto says third place in the constructors championship is the minimum the team should aim for in the 2021 F1 season.

@zia1288
Spectators in the cricket matches are mostly from with in the country and majorly from the same city where the match is held. Especially in current circumstances when travelling restriction are quite severe most of the spectators are from the same city. Also Australia for the time has controlled the Covid 19 situation and are trying to avoid any major spread in the near future as they are going to have their winter season starting from late March.

[genius83]

Russell’s Mercedes experience may help Williams improve “atrocious” starts
The one-off appearance George Russell made for Mercedes last year may help his Williams team improve the poor starts which dogged their campaign.

McLaren acquires option to enter Formula E in 2022
McLaren has moved a step closer to entering Formula E by announcing it has obtained an option to join the series in 2022.

Abiteboul leaves Renault as team becomes Alpine for 2021
Renault has announced the departure of Cyril Abiteboul, who ran its Formula 1 team until last season.

[genius83]

Official:
Australian and Chinese GPs postponed, Bahrain and Imola to open season
The 2021 F1 season will begin later than planned due to logistical complications arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, the championship has confirmed.

F1 to move pre-season testing from Spain to Bahrain
Formula 1 teams have agreed to delay and relocate pre-season testing, RaceFans understands. The move comes as changes were announced to the opening rounds of the new season.

[genius83]

Stroll Snr: ‘No one would question Lance’s place in F1 if he wasn’t my son’
Aston Martin F1 team owner Lawrence Stroll insists his son Lance’s performance during 2020 show he deserves to drive for the team.

Australian GP promoter wants return to season-opening date in 2022 after postponement
The Australian Grand Prix promoter wants to return the race to its traditional March slot on the 2022 F1 calendar following its postponement to November this year.

Ferrari’s Mission Winnow branding could return following 2020 absence
Ferrari’s controversial Mission Winnow branding, which did not appear on its cars at any race during 2020, may return this year.

Renault teases new Alpine F1 brand look for 2021
Renault has revealed the new look of its Formula 1 team, which from this year will compete under the name of its performance sub-brand Alpine.

Leclerc is fifth F1 driver to test positive for Covid-19
Charles Leclerc has tested positive for Covid-19 and is self-isolating at his home in Monaco, his team has confirmed.

[genius83]

Long-time McLaren technical chief Goss joins FIA
Tim Goss, who spent 28 years working for McLaren’s Formula 1 team, has joined the FIA’s technical department.

Alpine confirms ex-Moto GP team boss Brivio as new F1 racing director
Alpine has confirmed the arrival of former Suzuki Moto GP team boss Davide Brivio as its racing director for the 2021 F1 season.

Nissany will drive one of Williams’ three pre-season test days
Williams has announced test driver Roy Nissany will drive one of its three days of testing ahead of the 2021 F1 season.

Aston Martin plans social media push to ‘bring fans right into the heart of the team’
Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll says his team has a “serious ambition” to open itself up to fans in new ways following its rebranding.

Cancelled 2020 Australian GP cost government over £22 million
Last year’s cancelled Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne cost the Victorian state government almost AUS $40 million (£22.5 million).

Alfa Romeo to launch C41 in Poland on February 22nd
Alfa Romeo will launch its car for the 2021 F1 season in the Polish capital Warsaw, home to its title sponsor Orlen.

“I was waiting all my career to get an opportunity with a top team” – Perez
Sergio Perez says he spent his whole career waiting for a top team opportunity in F1, which he has now achieved by joining Red Bull.

Domenicali: F1 may shorten future calendars and rotate races
Stefano Domenicali, who has taken over as CEO of Formula 1 Management following Chase Carey’s departure, says the sport may shorten its schedule in future.

Sainz and Leclerc to test 2018 Ferrari next week
New Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jnr will be joined by team mate Charles Leclerc when the team tests one of its earlier F1 cars next week, RaceFans understands.

Perez prepared for “massive challenge” of taking on Verstappen
Sergio Perez says lining up against Max Verstappen at Red Bull will be “a massive challenge”, describing his new team mate as “one of the fastest, if not the fastest” drivers in Formula 1.

Hamilton ‘isn’t telling me whether he will re-sign for Mercedes’ – Domenicali
New Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali admits he is uncertain over the future of the sport’s star driver Lewis Hamilton.

[zia1288]

People still think that Merc + Ham wouldn't be signed?

[genius83]

Red Bull’s Honda engine plan rests on rules freeze vote next week
Red Bull’s hopes of continuing to use Honda power units after the 2021 F1 season rest on a crucial vote next week on changes to the engine regulations.

Domenicali wants crowds back at F1 races before end of season
New Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali is hopeful fans can be admitted to races once again before the end of the year.

Being first F1 driver to catch Covid-19 made Perez feel ‘like the most stupid guy”
Sergio Perez says becoming the first Formula 1 driver to test positive for Covid-19 last year made him feel “stupid”.

Button returns to Williams in advisor role 21 years after F1 debut
Williams has appointed 2009 world champion Jenson Button as a senior advisor to the team.

@zia1288
It is a possibility that Hamilton could take a sabbatical for 2021 before returning to F1 with new regs.

[zia1288]

Ham will never take that chance

[zia1288]

A good insight of F2012 fight to title

[genius83]

Wolff completes quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has become the latest senior figure in Formula 1 to test positive for Covid-19.

Alesi and Armstrong make F1 test debuts for Ferrari
Ferrari’s junior drivers Giuliano Alesi and Marcus Armstrong had their first opportunities to drive an F1 car today as the team began a four-day test at its Fiorano circuit.

Alesi’s Fiorano test was a “farewell to Ferrari”
Giuliano Alesi’s first test in a Formula 1 car with Ferrari today marks his departure from the team’s young driver roster, he has confirmed.

Hamilton: I’d still be a one-time champion if I’d stayed at McLaren
Lewis Hamilton has admitted he was unsure when he would win a race again after leaving McLaren to join Mercedes eight years ago.

Leclerc makes testing return following Covid-19 diagnosis
Charles Leclerc has made his return to testing for Ferrari after contracting Covid-19 earlier this year.

Red Bull face two-week wait for crucial F1 engine freeze decision
Red Bull will have to wait at least another two weeks for a decision on future power unit rules which has vital implications for their 2022 campaign.

Brawn to remain in charge of Formula 1’s sporting division
Ross Brawn will remain in charge of Formula 1’s sporting division after agreeing to remain in the role he took up four years ago.

Sainz drives a Ferrari F1 car for the first time at Fiorano
Carlos Sainz Jnr has made his debut behind the wheel of a Ferrari at the team’s test track in Fiorano.

Mercedes paying the price for success with less wind tunnel time in 2021 – Allison
Mercedes is striving to minimise the impact Formula 1’s new aero handicap rules will have on its efforts to score an eighth consecutive sweep of both championship titles.

First fire-up for McLaren’s Mercedes-powered MCL35M
McLaren has become the first Formula 1 team to release footage of its 2021 car firing up ahead of the new season.

Campos team founder and former F1 racer Adrian Campos dies at 60
Adrian Campos, the former Formula 1 driver who went on to launch the careers of drivers such as Fernando Alonso, has died.

McLaren to reveal Mercedes-powered MCL35M on February 15th
McLaren will launch its new car car for the 2021 F1 season on February 15th.

[genius83]

Mick Schumacher tests for Ferrari again ahead of Haas F1 debut
Ferrari Driver Academy member Mick Schumacher tested for the team again today ahead of his grand prix debut for its customer squad Haas in March.

Hamilton’s Turkish GP “masterpiece” shows his success isn’t just down to the car – Brawn
Formula 1 motorsport director Ross Brawn says Lewis Hamilton’s victory in last year’s Turkish Grand Prix refuted claims his success is a product of having the “best car”.

Mick Schumacher feels “very ready” for F1 debut after Ferrari test
Mick Schumacher says he feels ready for his Formula 1 debut following his latest test for Ferrari.

F1 announces revised starting times for 22 rounds of 2021 season
Formula 1 has confirmed details of the starting times for all bar one of the rounds on its 23-race 2021 calendar.

Round Date       Race                      Circuit                       Start time  Start time (UK)
 1    28/03/2021 Bahrain Grand Prix        Bahrain International Circuit   18:00       16:00
 2    18/04/2021 TBC Grand Prix            Imola                           15:00       14:00
 3    02/05/2021 TBC Grand Prix            TBC                             TBC         TBC
 4    09/05/2021 Spanish Grand Prix        Circuit de Catalunya            15:00       14:00
 5    23/05/2021 Monaco Grand Prix         Monaco                          15:00       14:00
 6    06/06/2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix     Baku City Circuit               16:00       13:00
 7    13/06/2021 Canadian Grand Prix       Circuit Gilles Villeneuve       14:00       19:00
 8    27/06/2021 French Grand Prix         Paul Ricard                     15:00       14:00
 9    04/07/2021 Austrian Grand Prix       Red Bull Ring                   15:00       14:00
10    18/07/2021 British Grand Prix        Silverstone                     15:00       15:00
11    01/08/2021 Hungarian Grand Prix      Hungaroring                     15:00       14:00
12    29/08/2021 Belgian Grand Prix        Spa-Francorchamps               15:00       14:00
13    05/09/2021 Dutch Grand Prix          Zandvoort                       15:00       14:00
14    12/09/2021 Italian Grand Prix        Monza                           15:00       14:00
15    26/09/2021 Russian Grand Prix        Sochi Autodrom                  15:00       13:00
16    03/10/2021 Singapore Grand Prix      Singapore                       20:00       13:00
17    10/10/2021 Japanese Grand Prix       Suzuka                          14:00       06:00
18    24/10/2021 United States Grand Prix  Circuit of the Americas         14:00       20:00
19    31/10/2021 Mexican Grand Prix        Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez    13:00       19:00
20    07/11/2021 Brazilian Grand Prix      Interlagos                      14:00       17:00
21    21/11/2021 Australian Grand Prix     Albert Park                     17:00       06:00
22    05/12/2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix  Jeddah                          19:00       16:00
23    12/12/2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix      Yas Marina                      17:00       13:00

‘Made in Italy and Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix’ title chosen for Imola’s F1 race
A new title has been chosen for Formula 1’s return to Imola, which hosted the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix last year.

Ilott completes Ferrari test as team covers 1,500km at Fiorano
Callum Ilott was the seventh and final driver to take part in Ferrari’s five days of running at its Fiorano test track this week.

New Schumacher film complete but no release date set
A new, officially-sanctioned documentary on the life of Michael Schumacher has been completed but its release date is yet to be confirmed.

“I got a lot of abuse”: Williams defends tenure at team and decision to sell
Former Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams has defended her eight years in charge of the team, which was sold by the family last year as it finished last in the championship again.

[genius83]

Gasly self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19
Pierre Gasly is self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.

Hamilton: Senna also faced a system which wasn’t always kind to him
Lewis Hamilton has given revealing insight into his admiration for three-times world champion Ayrton Senna and his fight against adversity.

Track changes planned to improve racing in November’s Australian GP
The postponement of the Australian Grand Prix by eight months means a planned overhaul of the Albert Park F1 circuit can now take place in time for this year’s race.

[genius83]

Mercedes announce March launch for new ‘W12 E Performance’ F1 car
Mercedes will launch its car for the 2021 F1 season on March 2nd.

F1 may hold two races in Bahrain if Portuguese GP cannot go ahead
Formula 1 could begin its new season with back-to-back races in Bahrain if plans to hold the third round of the season in Portugal are thwarted by the pandemic.

AlphaTauri to launch 2021 F1 car on February 19th
AlphaTauri will present their new car for the 2021 F1 season on February 19th.

Mazepin fined for failing to stop at red light
Nikita Mazepin, who will make his debut as a Formula 1 driver next month, has been fined for failing to stop his car at a red light by a court in Oxfordshire.