With eight seats changing, two teams switching names, four World Champions, three rookies and an endless supply of exciting match up all over the grid, starting with McLaren, here are the confirmed F1 drivers and teams line up for the upcoming 2021 season:
Daniel Riccardo (3) and Lando Norris (4)
Two massive changes are in store for the Woking-based team this year - Mercedes engines and a certain smiling honey badger from down under.
When they are not racing, Norris and Riccardo have gained infamous reputations as being light-hearted kids who like to joke about.
I personally believe these two will help push the sport further into the mainstream with their infectious personalities and attitudes.
Liberty Media must be rubbing their hands at making these two the poster boys of the sport if/when Lewis Hamilton retires.
Pierre Gasly (10) and Yuki Tsunoda (TBC)
Pierre Gasly will remain with the AlphaTauri team for the 2021 Formula 1 season with Yuki Tsunoda partnering him, replacing Daniil Kvyat.
Apart from Verstappen, Gasly has been the star entertainer of the Red Bull driver program. His number one spot at the Italian GP was well deserved.
Tsunoda, an F2 driver last year, was all but confirmed as the second driver after winning the Sakhir feature race. He finished third which gave him enough points on his super license to race in Formula One.
Kimi Räikkönen (7) and Antonion Giovinazzi (99)
Alfa Romeo will continue to blend the experience of 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen and the improving Antonio Giovinazzi for the third year in a row.
The big focus will be on trying to improve the team's competitiveness after a tough 2020.
They are one of only three teams staying with an unchanged line-up,
Esteban Ocon (31) and Fernando Alonso (TBC)
After two years away from the pinnacle of Motorsport, Fernando Alonso makes his return by driving for the recently renamed Alpine, formerly known as Renault.
Alpine is switching from a stand-alone sportscar brand to a sporty sub-brand to replace Renault Sport.
Esteban Ocon now has a successful F1 driver as his team-mate for the upcoming season.
Sebastien Vettel (5) and Lance Stroll (18)
Racing Point, which used to be Force India, which used to be Spyker, which used to be Midland, which used to be Jordan, becomes an Aston Martin works team in 2021.
This marks the company’s return to F1 for the first time in 60 years.
This team has more rebranding than an inner town nightclub but Lawrence Stroll, team owner and Aston Martin shareholder is insistent that the team should be back to winning ways.
This rebrand is partnered by the important arrival of four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel from Maranello, with Lance Stroll staying for his third season at his father's team.
And that's it! Part one of the driver and teams line up for the 2021 season is done.
Make sure you keep an eye on Matchday FM's socials when part two comes out!
Comentários