Exciting changes! This is how Formula 1 arrives in 2021

The most popular motorsport in the world features various movements on the Formula 1 grid, starting with the change of names in some teams, drivers changed teams and others debuting. In addition, the pandemic once again threatens the calendar and affects the budget of the teams, which has been reduced to a maximum limit of 145 million dollars per team . Formula 1 went from a rigorous regulatory modification – postponed by the crisis – to a season that promises more emotions and a different panorama thanks to the drivers.

Calendar

For the second year in a row, the Australian Grand Prix will not open the season as expected, instead it will be the Bahrain GP that opens the 2021 season on March 28 according to Motorpasión. This is due to the strict confinement regulations that Australia has. However, this time there will be a race on the Australian circuit but it would one before the last race, which is between mid-November. On the other hand, the Chinese Grand Prix does has the risk of being canceled definitively after being postponed for the same reason as Australia, but in his case, the FIA – Formula 1 regulatory body- sees little possible to give it a new date.

Another circuit that fell off the calendar was Vietnam , which was arriving for its Formula 1 debut but was permanently canceled. This news was not due as a consequence of the pandemic, but due to a corruption scandal that led to the arrest of Nguyen Duc Chung, chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee , who despite being involved in the organization of the Grand Prix, the reason his arrest is not linked to it, according to Mundo Deportivo.

New circuit

Not all is bad news, since this 2021 indicates that Saudi Arabia will debut in Formula 1 with the Jeddah street circuit scheduled for December 5 , so it would be the penultimate race and then go to another nearby track: that of Abu Dhabi. The Imola Grand Prix also returns in 2021 to replace the Vietnam one. In 2020 the Italian circuit already offered an exciting race with unexpected results. The Imola GP will be the second race of the season and is scheduled for April 18 according to the newspaper Motor.

For the moment, the FIA promises that this time it will be able to complete 23 races on the calendar , which would be a record for Formula 1. There is still a circuit to be confirmed -the third of the season-, but it is already fixed, for now , the Monaco GP as well as American circuits such as the United States, Mexico and Brazil, which were not contested in 2020, according to Car and Driver.

Same teams, different names

Other notable changes for 2021 are the names of two teams, firstly, Racing Point which will now be called Aston Martin , this name returns to the top category 60 years later, after the president and owner of Racing Point, Lawrence Stroll , bought 16.7% of Aston Martin, according to Soy Motor . On the other hand, Renault will be named Alpine due to an organizational change that included new agreements with French brands. However, the engine will continue to be designed and manufactured by Renault although the colors of the car will now be those of the French flag, according to El Mundo.

Pilots

This 2021 the grid moves considerably with newcomers and others changing teams. The last to be announced was the signing of Mexican Sergio "Checo" Perez to Red Bull, currently the second best team in Formula 1, after Racing Point – now called Aston Martin – announced that they would not renew his contract with the arrival of the former Ferrari pilot Sebastián Vettel to the team owned by Lawrence Stroll. Lance Stroll, Lawrence's son, will remain the other driver in the team.

It may interest you: Behind the pilot: Who makes up the Formula 1 team?

Another who changes team is Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard is now part of Ferrari after leaving McLaren. This last team has filled that position with Daniel Ricciardo, who comes from Renault and has lowered his salary to less than half in order to continue racing in Formula 1 according to Motorpasión. For its part, Renault – now called Alpine – will have who was once champion with his team: Fernando Alonso . The Asturian returns to the top category and will accompany Esteban Ocon.

Newcomers arrive

There are no longer changes of drivers but newcomers, starting with the most anticipated of all: Mick Schumacher, son of the mythical seven-time champion of the category, Michael Schumacher . Mick arrives at Haas and will be accompanied by another rookie with whom he has already competed in Formula 2: Nikita Mazepin. The Russian was close to being expelled for a controversial video he posted on Instagram. However, Mazepin managed to stay and secure his debut. Another rookie is the Japanese Yuki Tsunoda, who comes to the Red Bull subsidiary: Alpha Tauri to gain experience in Formula 1 and be considered in the future for Red Bull.