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Who Is the Favorite to Win Formula 1 in 2021?

March 8, 2021
Spotlight
Editorial

  • F1 Drivers For 2021

The F1 season comes around quickly. It wasn’t too long ago when fans and pundits were thinking of new ways to describe Lewis Hamilton’s dominance in the sport after capturing his seventh title. The man from the UK is now the most decorated Formula One driver in the sport, surpassing the legendary Michael Schumacher.
Still, the anticipation for who will win this year is very high. This is mainly due to the renewed optimism that occurs every year, with supporters finally hoping a team can challenge Mercedes’ dominance. However, there is a lot of cause for hope in 2021 if the previous season is anything to go by.
Yes, Hamilton and Mercedes glided to an imperious double victory in the end, yet the campaign wasn’t without shocks. And there should be more to come thanks to driver and engine manufacturer changes that act as the pre-cursor to the biggest rules’ revolution in the sport in 2022. Before that, though, there’s a small matter of this year’s F1 champ.

Lewis Hamilton

There’s not much to say about the seven-time champion who has been at the top of the sport since his Mercedes team provided him with a title-winning car in 2013. It’s impossible to argue that Toto Wolf’s men and women won’t be at the front of the pack, mainly because history tells us this is the case.
After all, the rule changes are another year away, so until they come into force, everything is likely to be the same. Plus, their main driver has agreed to a one-year contract extension, according to formula1.com. This means AMG has a pound-for-pound great behind the wheel for another season, and it’s expected to be longer if he decides not to retire. Valtteri Bottas didn’t impress last season, even if he’s evidently strong enough to pick up the points that Hamilton relinquishes.
This means the current F1 driver’s champion will have a level of competition that keeps him honest from Bahrain to Abu Dhabi. However, as always, he’ll turn it up a notch when he needs to.

Max Verstappen

The Dutchman, Max Verstappen, is probably the best-placed to run the two Mercedes off the front grid. The youngster did it last year, with a magnificent pole at the final race that showed plenty of promise for 2021. Plus, Verstappen had two poles in 2019 in Hungary and Brazil, not to mention his numerous race wins.
The lead driver will have Sergio Perez alongside him, a teammate who is guaranteed to push him all the way off and on the track. Also, the Red Bull team doesn’t have to worry about the engine situation as they will take over Honda’s engines from 2022 until at least 2024. With a little more power, Red Bull Racing Honda will certainly be at the front thanks to their superior aerodynamic package.
Perez also deserves a mention as he’s a seasoned pro. Punters will be desperately backing him to complete the upset of the century after a couple of tumultuous years that almost resulted in him losing his seat. As asiabet.org highlights, Formula 1 is a sport of high stakes and glamour, yet it’s about who will reach the podium and which constructor will claim the end-of-season crown, too. Perez is a fan favorite, especially in the sub-continent where F1 holds a powerful place in the hearts of Indian sports fans, thanks to his days at Force India (Aston Martin Racing), so gamblers will be hoping he finally gets what he deserves in a title-challenging car.

Daniel Ricciardo

Known as the honey badger, Daniel Ricciardo’s smooth-yet-fearless style of driving is loved and respected by his competitors inside the paddock and the fans watching at the races or on TV. Sadly, the Australian has fallen back in the pecking order after moving to Renault.
A move to McLaren in 2021 was widely publicized, so the pressure is on his shoulders, even if the official team sponsor and directors are playing down the team’s chances. After all, they were the best of the rest in 2020, and now they have a Mercedes power unit under the hood on an iconic livery. Therefore, progression is expected.


Whether challenging for the driver’s championship is too much is still to be seen. However, Ricciardo is a proven world-class driver who has taken on the likes of Hamilton, Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel and succeeded. That means there’s lots of optimism among McLaren supporters for the curtain-raiser at Bahrain on 28th March. Of course, there are several dark horses, including two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, who returns to Renault after his F1 sabbatical. Skysports.com highlights how his racing brain and fighting attitude are perfect for the sport and mean he’ll always be in with a shot if he has a fast car.

Who do you think will be crowned the winner in the UAE?