There are just weeks to wait before the new F1 season begins. It seems the last one only just reached its conclusion, and given that there have been understandably few regulation changes, it would be unrealistic to expect fortunes to differ dramatically from 2020. That doesn't mean the forthcoming season will be lacking in drama, however, and it is certain to throw a few surprises our way.
No change at the top
Right at the top, Lewis Hamilton is in an enviable position, and it would take either injury or an upset of epic proportions to prevent him from an eighth title. In fact, the experts at sites like
Comeon have him at an incredible 2/5 on before a wheel has even turned in anger. As was the case last year, the only real competition is likely to come from Red Bull, and it will be intriguing to see whether Max Verstappen finally has a teammate who can hang on to his coat tails in Sergio Perez. But while the front four grid places are likely to go to form, things get very interesting as we look at those competing to be best of the rest.
McLaren's resurgence
It's been a long tale of redemption for the Woking-based team, which only a couple of years ago produced a car so woeful that Fernando Alonso was embarrassed to drive it. Last year, McLaren pipped Racing Point and Renault to finish third. Can they cement their place this year? The additions or Mercedes power units and proven race-winner Daniel Ricciardo to partner Norris certainly bode well. However, there are unanswered questions as to how the new engine will perform in combination with the McLaren chassis. Also, Ricciardo will need to be at the top of his game, as the man he replaces scored the lion's share of McLaren's points last year.
Aston Martin
Many would argue that despite finishing behind McLaren in the points, the "pink Mercedes" were the third best team last year. Plentiful investment dollars, rebranding under the Aston Martin banner and the addition of a multiple world champion to the driver lineup should see them consolidate that position. Yet it is the drivers that present the biggest conundrum. Team Principal Otmar Szafnaur's prediction that the move will
reignite Sebastian Vettel's passion needs to come true, while Lance Stroll must add consistency to the indisputable speed and flashes of brilliance that he demonstrated last year, or it could prove another season of underachievement.
Alpine
The biggest unknown has the potential to spring the biggest surprises. Another outfit to undergo a rebranding between seasons, the team formerly known as Renault
welcomes back prodigal son Fernando Alonso in his 41st year. The team was starting to show consistency in the latter half of last year, but will Alonso's return build on or erode the team dynamic that Ricciardo and Ocon worked so hard to establish? There is the potential for a fairytale in the making here, but Alonso does not have precedent on his side. Previous champions to return to the sport at 40-plus found the post-script tarnished, rather than enhanced their careers.
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