Never have I seen so many F1 fans so eager and hopeful to see Vettel return to glory or at least contention. The pendulum has swung back from those, rightfully criticizing Seb for some amateur spins and costly rookie errors, to a wave of support based largely on an unfairness and locking of antlers between the four time WC and the corporate Ferrari mindset. Ironically though, Vettel now finds himself in the identical position of bringing former glory to a historic name. The difference this time is Lawrence Stroll’s coup here of buying Vettel’s experience, both for aiding his son Lance and for the “new” team. If Aston Martin do what Ferrari failed to do, which was listen and implement Vettel’s wisdom, then Seb himself is in a very good position to grow a supportive team, and pick up his career once again in what was a very competitive car in 2020.
Sergio Perez and Red Bull
I would’ve said this was a do or die year for Sergio until a few weeks ago. Albon hasn’t made any lateral movement in motorsports like Magnussen and Grosjean have, and Alex never looks too worried or critical about it making me wonder whether his association with RB is truly over. Unfortunately where Albon failed, wasn’t in failing to win races for RB, but he floundered in placing a capable car in the points for the constructors fight, aka money. You can’t run at the top without putting two cars consistently into the points. It was within reason, with the Gasly/Kyvat/Marko disasters, to believe Red Bull have learned their lesson and kept Albon on a return waiver, giving Perez one year to show his value but then something happened to change my mind about that idea. Red Bull announced their commitment to the IP takeover for Honda’s Formula One engine in 2022. Even though the foundation is established, It takes a lot of money to persevere as a manufacturer and Perez comes with financial security in sponsors, which may secure his seat, regardless of performance in 2021.
Covid ... Again
The Covid crisis produced some unequalled unknowns in Formula One for the 2020 season. Schedule changes were very fluid, throwing chaos into the itinerary. Circuit cancellations meant old school track replacements, made challenging for teams and drivers, as they were anything but the sterile tracks designed for modern cars. Interruptive travel restrictions put pressures on team strategy, parts travel and repair work. Positive Covid infection itself produced some disruptive driver and team member sit outs which may again appear in 2021. Although the thrill of this F1 period will take a step down, now that Formula One teams have experience and data gathered from last season, expect the unexpected to again interfere with team’s best made plans. Those that can adapt on the fly, produce and execute creative solutions, will again flourish and move up the ladder while others may be caught stumbling.
The New In-Team Rivalry
Pre-season smiles and hugs have the real potential to quickly sour as each driver bids to out perform their new teammate. There’s the most giddy teaming of Norris/Ricardo at McLaren. The eagerness to prove their value for Ferrari in both Sainz/LeClerc. The youthful pairing of the volatile Mazepin and heavily burdened Schumacher rookie team for Haas. The intense Red Bull pressures of established Max Ver Stappen versus the rising Sergio Perez. What appears to be the seriousness of the returning and the fittest ever, Alonso with a mediocre Ocon rebirthing Alpine. As each unfamiliar pairing tries to establish driver dominance, expect this 2021 shuffle to turn serious and some sober, on track sparring about to happen when the visors go down this year.
my
Posts
