Although it’s been awhile now since they fought
against each other for the title…
McLaren
McLarenF1 Team
(2020 Rank: 3rd, 202 Points)
Chassis: MCL35M
Engine: Mercedes Benz
#3 Daniel Ricciardo,
Australia
#4 Lando Norris, United Kingdom
Obviously the Biggest change to the MCL35M is the
switch in motive power from Renault to Mercedes Bens, hence the M prefix to
McLaren’s upgraded 2021 Challenger. Although tend to believe I read somewhere
that the FIA gave Woking special dispensation for the Power Unit (PU) change,
allowing them to spend Thar crucial Design Tokens elsewhere.
As McLaren is allowed to use All of the 2020
Homolgated bits allowable, i.e.; rear suspension, cooling, etc. Although
apparently McLaren still builds it’s own Gearboxes, which naturally needed to
be modified to accept the Merc’ PU.
The new car sports a longer wheelbase which is
part of Mercedes philosophy, whilst reportedly other W11 “Styling” (Design)
cues make it’s way onto the MCL35M.
On the driver front, DannyRic’ (Ricciardo) xlides
over from Renault on a three year contract. As I’d surmise Ricciardo’s tenure
at Renault wasn’t as satisfying as planned…
While coupled with Lando Norris, I’d argue this
tandem is the third strongest Driver pairing on the F1 Grid, albeit no idea on
how Ferrari will respond this year?
And with McLaren’s impressive performance last
year and the Power Unit upgrade, is it too early to begin talking about Woking
finally ending it’s long winless drought from 2012? And which of these two
drivers will do so?
Ferrari
Scuderia Ferrari
(2020 Rank: 6th, 131 Points)
Chassis: SF21
Engine: Ferrari
#16 Charles Leclerc, Monaco
#55 Carlos Sainz, Jr., Spain
The storied Italian marque makes massive
changes towards this year’s SF21 Challenger. And Nah, I’m not talking ‘bout the
addition of the Neon Green, Shamrock Green or was it Puke Vomit Green Mission
Winnow Deckles on it’s rear engine cowling. But speaking of it’s rear, most
notably an got an all new Heinny’, Err rear end.
As Maranello’s designed a new transmission and
rear suspension to adapt to it’s all new 2021 powerplant, Uhm PU. Thus providing
a more tapered rear end to hopefully work in concert with it’s redesigned front
nose and wings, to meet this year’s Aerodynamic rule changes.
And I’ll go out on a medium sized limb here by
saying the arrival of Carlos Sainz, Jr. as Vettel’s replacement at Maranello
will be a definite upgrade! Since I’m thinking the Spaniard won’t be as toxic
over the In-car radio as Sebastian was, and definitely not throwing as many
tantrums as the German did.
As I think this duo will push la Scuderia forwards. Although I think it’ll be another long year for Charles Leclerc who’s itching to get back to driving a winning chassis, which I doubt will happen this season…
