The countdown has finally begun for the commencement of the 2021 F1 season, with just a month away from hearing the famous David Croft phrase, ‘It’s lights out and away we go.’ And amid such an aching for racing to return, all eyes will be on Sebastian Vettel and the potential return to his older form.
With the season right around the corner, the predictions have already started falling in most of which hint at one outcome – an exciting and close battle-filled 2021 season. This is primarily because of two rising mid-field teams, McLaren and Aston Martin.
The rivalry between the two British teams ignited during the 2020 season, as their battle for P3 on the constructor’s table went down the wire to the Abu Dhabi GP.
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Despite hanging around in P4 prior to the weekend, a brilliant drive from the McLaren duo witnessed them jump past Racing Point to secure their first P3 in years.
Hence, the newly renamed Aston Martin team are all set to get their redemption following the substantial internal and driver changes. Meanwhile, McLaren, too, are looking equally dangerous, switching back to their former engine supplier, Mercedes, from the 2021 season.
Hence, the early developments hint at a wild ride awaiting the fans. However, the bigger question is, who is going to edge ahead this time around?
Well, former F1 driver, Ralf Schumacher, opened up about the rivalry. He reckoned that both the teams will make giant on-track leaps, come the 2021 season.
Schumacher expecting Sebastian Vettel to prove Ferrari’s decision wrong
Speaking to F1-Insider, the German expressed his view on the changes Aston Martin and McLaren made in the wake of 2021. He is particularly aching to watch how Aston Martin’s new signing fares through the season.
“I have great confidence in both of them,” he said. “McLaren made the right step with the Mercedes engines. Aston Martin made the right move to bring Sebastian Vettel in, who now has to prove that he was sold short at Ferrari the last few years.”
Who could forget the older version of McLaren Mercedes that dominated the entire grid for years in the 2000s? It was one of the fiercest team-ups in years.
Now, their reunion will have definitely left the rival teams shaking, with the uncertainty prevailing over how strong they could turn out by the upcoming season.
It is a similar story with Aston Martin. They looked to be one of the dangerous mid-field teams of 2020. And rightly so, Racing Point fought hard and secured a handful of podiums, and even a race win. However, the inconsistency in their drivers spoiled their hopes of securing P3 on the table.
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Nevertheless, moving into 2021, with Aston Martin free of tokens, they could potentially bring in the championship-winning W11 to race their rivals. Furthermore, with Sebastian Vettel in the team, their threat to the mid-field and the top-field looks imminent.
Bu t let’s hear it from you.
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How juicy is the battle between McLaren and Aston Martin going to be? Ultimately, who is going to rule the mid-field pack?
Read More: Stroll Sr Warns Aston Martin Can Give Mercedes, Red Bull or Ferrari ‘a Run for Their Money’