24 hours until F1 returns | Our 2021 Formula 1 season predictions

Haas

We’ll start at the back A few years ago Haas were tipped to be one of the next big teams and were in midfield contention. However, now they are battling to avoid the wooden spoon but I don’t think they’ll succeed. The team led by everyone’s favourite Netflix character will finish plum last. Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin clearly have ability but the Haas car just won’t cut it, with Mazepin finishing last and Schumacher 19th.

Williams

Next up we have Williams who failed to score a single point last season. However, there were signs of improvement and now with the backing of Dorilton Capital I believe they will make huge strides and I’ve already said to expect their first points in Monaco. Now strap yourselves in because this might be a bit bold. George Russell will finish 14th in the Drivers’ Championship. If Williams can finally give him a semi-competitive car I have no doubt that his talent will shine through and he will lead a Williams renaissance and by the end of the season he will have all but guaranteed a Mercedes drive in 2022 if it isn’t signed off already. Latifi, not such high expectations, however, he’s got enough to ensure he doesn’t finish last, pipping the Haas pair to 18th in the standings, marking a highly respectable season for Williams!

Alfa Romeo 

Alfa Romeo have steadily declined over the last two years in my opinion and I can actually see them struggling. I don’t think they’ll be the worst but Kimi isn’t getting any younger and Giovinazzi hasn’t pulled up any trees. I’m predicting the latter to outperform his teammate and Giovinazzi will finish a respectable 16th, whilst Raikkonen will finish 17th in what I am predicting to be his final season in Formula 1!

Alpha Tauri 

Alpha Tauri have been many people’s surprise package over the last two season and I think they’ll score some good results again. With Pierre Gasly they have a very settled driver and Yuki Tsunoda is a brilliant talent. I don’t think their season will be as impressive as the last two years but Gasly will continue to get the most out of his car and finish 13th whilst Tsunoda will have the odd brilliant result but his inexperience will tell and he’ll be down in 15th!

Ferrari

Oh Ferrari, it’s fair to say their 2020 was rubbish, barring a few performances they had a stinker. And unfortunately for them my crystal ball is telling me it isn’t going to get much better. Much like Red Bull and Verstappen, the Ferrari is built to favour Charles Leclerc so I expect him to grind out some results and although Sainz is a hugely capable driver he may struggle to adapt. However, I’m not hopeful and I think Leclerc will get an impressive P7 in the standings whilst Sainz will be down in tenth.

Alpine

Starting to get interesting now and this could end up being a really tight battle. Has Fernando Alonso still got it? I’m saying yes! You don’t go for the triple crown of motorsport if you are a slouch. However, Esteban Ocon is hugely talented but underwhelmed last season, leaving many questioning his place. However, with a year under his belt at Renault he could be a different animal. I could actually see this going the other way, especially with Alonso having spent two years away from F1 BUT my prediction is Alonso to finish eighth and Ocon 12th. But that is definitely going to be a fascinating battle!

Aston Martin

This is probably the boldest one so far. Sebastian Vettel will finish sixth in the Drivers’ Championship. You don’t turn into a bad driver over night, and Vettel showed he’s still got it in Turkey last year, hanging in there to capitalise on any mistakes. Aston Martin are another team who are always improving so with better resources I am confident Vettel will finish sixth and I can see him scoring a podium, let's say in Australia and he definitely won’t be languishing outside the points. Lance Stroll will learn loads from the German but I’m expecting him to be steady at best and He’ll finish 11th.

McLaren

A few weeks ago I backed McLaren to make their mark on the top end of the grid and I absolutely still see them doing that and with a Mercedes engine, they’ve got extra power. As a result I can see Daniel Ricciardo finishing fifth in the Drivers’ Championship. The Aussie is a quality driver and with quality materials, he’s only getting better. Lando Norris is always improving as he continues to develop showing glimpses of great potential. Norris still has a few inconsistencies to iron out and as a result, I think he’ll finish further down the grid in tenth.

Red Bull

Now I caused quite the commotion when I said Sergio Perez would beat Max Verstappen. Now I do have to be honest I was reaching with that one and it is fairly likely Verstappen will beat his teammate, however, I don’t think he’ll have the package to beat Mercedes and I’ll think he’ll come third that’s assuming he has good reliability otherwise Perez could be the man to take advantage of any slip-ups. With Red Bull being comfortably better than the rest the Mexican will finish fourth.

Mercedes

And finally, Mercedes, are the undoubted favourites for both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship and I fully expect them to do so. The question is, can Valtteri Bottas stop Lewis Hamilton securing a record eighth World Championship. I’m going out on a wim and saying no! Lewis Hamilton will finish the 2021 season exactly where he has finished six of the last seven seasons, on top of the pile and I imagine by some margin. I am backing Bottas to be his nearest rival and finish second in what I expect to be his final season in F1 but that’s a subject for another video.

That was a lot to take in, so let’s run you through our final standings in full. A comfortable Mercedes one-two with Lewis Hamilton securing the title. Red Bull third and fourth. Daniel Ricciardo an impressive fifth and Seb Vettel proving his doubters wrong for P6. Leclerc, Alonso, Sainz and Norris complete the top ten. Lance Stroll will finish 11th ahead of French pair Ocon and Gasly. And then it’s the big call of George Russell in 14th. Rookie Tsunoda in 15th, with Giovinazzi beating Raikkonen. Latifi will finish 18th with the Haas duo battling it out to avoid last spot!

What do you make of our predictions? Let us know in the comments below what yours are for the upcoming season!