But which of these three F1 Teams will come out on
top? And which one Doesn’t look like the Other?
Aston Martin
Aston Martin Cognizan F1 Team
(2020 Rank: 4th, 195 Points)
Chassis:
AMR21
Engine: Mercedes Benz
#5 Sebastian Vettel,
Germany
#18 Lance Stroll, Canada
What can I say about the rebranded Racing Point
operation that possibly had the glitziest F1 Car launch? Like I mean some Super
Duper Bowl NFL Stud named tom Brady was Thar, presumably only Outshone by Daniel
Craig, Err 007’s James Bond!
As the newly coifed Aston Martin F1 concern will
proudly don British Racing Green for it’s paint scheme and continue the
refinement of it’s Mercedes look-alike chassi forlornly known as the “Pink
Mercedes,” albeit sporting the aforementioned green paint scheme.
As the refined RP20 chassis now hevily leans
upon last year’s Mercedes W11 design, most notably it’s rear flanks which
incorporates the Mercedes W11 rear suspension bits and whatever else of last
year’s Homologated components where allowable.
As like Aston Martin, the other three customer
teams Alfa Romeo, Haas and Scuderia AlphaTauri are all allowed to utilize said
FIA Homologated parts this season from their respective Big Brother entities
before 2022 chassis Rules come into effect nullifying this practice.
But the AMR21 also has it’s own design elements
since not every bit of the world Beater Mercedes W11 is allowable, as Aston
Martin and I’d Arse-sume’ the others to some extent will have to come up with
it’s own solution for the new floor, rear diffuser, etc.
And as we already know, on the Driver front,
the much maligned ‘lil Syd Viddle, aka Sebastian Vettel has swaped his rosso overalls for a green Firesuit this season,
in hopes of somewhat resurrecting his F1 career, which went terribly
Pear-shaped at la Scuderia last year.
But like I’ve heard countless times before, Y’all
Don’t think Vettel’s forgotten how to Drive, Eh? Since once a Four-times F1
World Champion, Always a Four-times World Champion! And can Lance Stroll
outperform his new team-mate? Although I’ve got zero Clue if the team can lift
itself further up the grid this season?
Alpine
Alpine F1 Team
(2020 Rank: 5th, 181 Points)
Chassis:
A521
Engine: Renault
#14 Fernando Alonso, Spain
#31 Esteban Ocon, France
As the only true Werks’ effort of this trio,
you’d have expected le Reggie’, Err Renault to have come out on top. Yet for
2021, Renault has rebranded itself as Alpine, in marketing parlance to it’s
Sports Car brand, albeit it’s still exactly the same outfit long based at
Enstone, albeit under somewhat new management. As I’ve previously scribbled ‘bout
Cyril Abiteboul being replaced by Davide
Brivio as Team Principal.
Like everyone else, the chassis has been
updated from last year’s RS20 and notably sports a new livery of red, white and
blue in honour of the French Flag and it’s new brand.
Yet I’d say the biggest news is the arrival of
Fredrico Suave, aka Fernando Alonso and is surgically repaired Jaw! As the
Double F1 World Champion will contest the entire season with two titanium plates
affixed to his upper Jaw before having them removed at season’s end.
As it’ll be interesting to see if Esteban Ocon
can push his new team-mate? Although I’m pretty sure that DannyRic’, nee Daniel
Ricciardo had the upper hand against Ocon last year.
AlphaTauri
Scuderia AlphaTauri-Honda
(2020 Rank: 7th, 107 Points)
Chassis:
AT02
Engine: Honda
#10
Pierre Gasley, France
#22
(R) Yuki Tsunoda, Japan
(R
= Rookie)
Like the newly minted “Green Mercedes” above,
Toro Rosso, Uhm AlphaTauri will be able to benefit from last year’s race
winning Red Bull RB16 chassis bits.
As much Noise has been made about Japanese F1
Rookie Yuki Tsunoda winding up P2 on the Time Sheets of Bahrain’s final day of
testing. Although I’ve since read about Lando Norris tongue in cheek Quip about
the young Japanese charger opening up his DRS before reaching the DRS zone to
possibly aid in Tsunoda’s super quick lap time? Which I believe was set upon Pirelli’s
C5 tyre compound, the softest of the range.
And although the Hondre’ runners as Leigh
Diffey would say look strong, this was the obligatory F1 “Winter Olympics” and
we’ll not really know until the season opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
Tsunoda finished third overall in last year’s Formula 2 Championship for Carlin, taking three wins, four Poles and seven podiums en route to series top rookie finisher. With the 20yr old Japanese driver replacing Rooskie’ Daniil Kvyat, who’s become Alpine’s Reserve Driver this season. Whilst I’m guessing Pierre Gasley will be hard pressed to win his second Grand Prix victory this season…
