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F1 back from Friday – but what are the big stories in the sport going into a preseason test? Martin Brundle, Rachel Brookes, Karun Chandhok and Ted Kravitz discuss the big topics after car launches
F1 back from Friday – but what are the big stories in the sport going into a preseason test? Martin Brundle, Rachel Brookes, Karun Chandhok and Ted Kravitz discuss the big issues after car launches
Formula 1 2021 should be more competitive – with Red Bull in the mix – and maybe even a “reset” packing order, says Martin Brundle on Sky Sports F1’s big preview ahead of pre-season testing this weekend.
The new season officially rises on March 28 but is being tested, reduced to three days and they will all be live on Sky Sports F1 from Friday, more important than ever this year and Brundle, Ted Kravitz, Karun Chandhok and Rachel Brookes have all discussed the main ’21 talking points in advance.
These include …
- The question for Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton for an eighth title and whether Red Bull can reinvent, but secretly, stop them
- Can Sebastian Vettel rediscover his form as Aston Martin returns to F1?
- Is Ferrari, just the sixth last season, going to fight back in the face?
But Brundle also wonders if the tweaked rules mean that the grid, which has a new look for 2021 with new drivers, team names and colors, can shut down – something we might get a recommendation of one once a trial begins.
The ‘tighter’ F1 2021 could deliver a ‘reset’
Martin Brundle at Sky Sports F1
“I like a lot of liveries. Mercedes I always think a lot about it, while the Aston Martin looks great too. Now I want to see them out on the track and color scheme, but it ‘s good to see some new sponsors coming into Formula 1 as well.
“Overall, I feel like we are expecting a tighter season.
1:11 Lewis Hamilton talks for the first time about his one-season contract extension at Mercedes and his double goals for the 2021 season
“The rules also slow down the top teams in terms of how much money they can spend, the facility they have and the time they have in the wind tunnel. For example, 12.5 per cent. Ferrari had 100 times more time in the wind tunnel than Mercedes as they finished sixth in last year ‘s world championship.
“So, the package is going to be closed out in the next year or two, starting in 2021. Yes, it is a behavior and a maintenance pattern as the new style cars have been delayed to 2022, but there is general excitement and anticipation, with the new heavier and slower Pirelli tires as well, there may be a resurgence. “
Red Bull: Karun, Ted and Martin deliver judgment
Karun Chandhok at Sky Sports F1
“Is Red Bull going to pick up where they left off in Abu Dhabi? Max really had control, it was a great win and Red Bull were coming along strong.
“They have a new gearbox for 2021 which they have kept very secret. In fact, everything they have published since their launch was of an old car – so they have been very secretive, bigger than usual. There’s something in there with the rear end and this new gearbox that they have so I’m waiting to see if that pays dividends. “
Red Bull has only released two digital images of their 2021 car so far
Ted Kravitz at Sky Sports F1
“I think Karun is right that Red Bull has some things that they don’t tell anyone.
“My main interest with the Red Bull is how Honda is doing with this new engine. They have carried the good materials they were planning for 2022 into this year’s engine as Honda is, of course, not going to be around in 2022. This is their swan season . They have good stuff on the engine, and we’ll see what that does.
“That’s what will really lead the battle, I think. We know the Red Bull chassis is good, they won the last race in Abu Dhabi, and they will be there or not. that – it just depends on the engine. “
Martin Brundle
“I think Red Bull are going to be very strong. That performance they put in at Abu Dhabi and how they improved the car in the winter, if they hit the ground and deliver their potential immediately – something they have not often done, it must be said – I think Red Bull will be pretty soon.
Vettel’s big move, Aston’s product is generating interest
Karun Chandhok
“Are we going to see the 2018 Seb Vettel pre-Hockenheim or are we going to see the one that has struggled over the last two and a half years?”
Ted Kravitz
“I’m looking forward to Sebastian Vettel in the Aston Martin.
1:00 Look at the first Aston Martin F1 in 61 years to get on the track, with Vettel making its debut for the Silverstone team
“I think we’ll see a number of podiums for Sebastian Vettel, because what Aston Martin has been saying is that we’re going to change the car. Basically it’s already a car that’s a little bit more. towards Sebastian ‘s very distinctive driving style, but we used to change the car very much according to Checo Perez’ s driving style and we can change to Sebastian Vettel ‘s driving style.
“I think that’s the last piece of the puzzle. I think Sebastian has refreshed and renewed over the winter, he understands what happened at Ferrari and I think he could he even won a race. “
Ferrari target recovery | McLaren will focus on Ricciardo, pushing Merc’s engine
Karun Chandhok
“I think one of the biggest questions coming up this year is whether Ferrari is going to come back?
“We’ve seen at any power-conscious tour, with long runs, they suffered a lot – often finding out in Q1 in the case of Sebastian Vettel.
“Of course Carlos Sainz is coming in, there’s a big change, a new energy about it, and it’s pumped up a lot. But I think everyone will be waiting to see when when we reach Bahrain, will Ferrari be back so fast in terms of their straight line.
8:43 Skyun F1’s Karun Chandhok will ask Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz and Mattia Binotto the top questions as Ferrari try to turn their fortunes around this year
“I really like the McLaren story, Daniel Ricciardo. It’s an interesting portrait there.
“Lando Norris has had two strong seasons coming in as a rookie, this is an opportunity for him to go up against a driver we know, who has won races and who is two- really at the top of his game.
“And it’s clear McLaren now has a Mercedes engine.”
Live F1 test on Sky Sports F1
New-look cars. A new mix of drivers and teams. And just three days of road testing to get up to speed before the start of the new Formula 1 season.
There has never been a pre-season test record like this – and you can watch it all live on Sky Sports F1 from next Friday as Formula 1 2021 kicks off in full with three days of activity in Bahrain.
With coverage starting early in the morning on March 12 and running through the weekend, Sky F1 is the place to watch the eight o’clock of live trail activity from every day – and night Accurate display and Ted’s confirmation notebook.
Sky F1’s Martin Brundle, David Croft, Ted Kravitz, Rachel Brookes and Karun Chandhok will be out in Bahrain to help tell the story of each day’s path and the big pre-season stories.
Features Friday, Saturday and Sunday coverage:
- Live coverage of morning and afternoon trail sessions
- An evening dress show summarizing the day’s key moments & interviews
- Ted’s confirmation notebook
In addition to the Sky F1 channel, subscribers can monitor the live activity on their mobile phone by logging in with their Sky iD on the Sky Sports App.
Sky Sports website and app is the place for the live digital blog with updates, schedules and free video clips of key events and interviews.
You can also follow the latest updates through the Sky F1 social channels.
The new 23-race F1 season kicks off back in Bahrain on March 26-28, with all races live on Sky Sports F1 – the only place to see the entire season live.