Lewis Hamilton kicks off his bid for a document eighth Method One championship in Bahrain on Sunday however Crimson Bull rival Max Verstappen can strike an early blow on the floodlit Sakhir circuit.
The 23-year-old Dutch driver was the final winner of 2020 in Abu Dhabi, ending six years of Mercedes success at Yas Marina, and has a great probability of kicking off the brand new season the place he left off.
“Now I’ve to ship and the crew must ship so we are able to attempt to mount a title battle,” mentioned Verstappen. “I just like the Bahrain monitor and will probably be thrilling to see our efficiency. It’s time to see who has bought what.”
Verstappen was quickest on two of three days of testing at Bahrain’s Sakhir circuit whereas Mercedes appeared surprisingly off-form.
Whereas Crimson Bull are adamant that Mercedes stay the favourites, Mercedes say their rivals are actually forward on efficiency.
“The W12 wasn’t as secure, predictable or planted as a few of our rivals,” mentioned Mercedes crew boss Toto Wolff. “Crimson Bull appeared robust on each the lengthy and the quick runs, however as all the time with testing, it’s tough to make certain of true efficiency.
“The one factor we all know for positive is that we should show our means to react.”
Look out for fireworks in Bahrain! 🎇#BahrainGP 🇧🇭 #F1 pic.twitter.com/1v1dZJni93
— Method 1 (@F1) March 24, 2021
Bahrain will give some early indications of any change within the pecking order, with Mercedes successful 5 of the final seven races there on the common grand prix circuit and Hamilton the final two.
Verstappen’s new Mexican crew Sergio Perez gained the latest race at Sakhir, nevertheless, on the outer structure used for the primary time in December — which means Crimson Bull’s newest lineup have gained the final two races.
The final time Mercedes misplaced three races in a row was in 2019, when Ferrari had been their closest rivals.
Hamilton’s Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas has gained the final two season-openers, in Australia and Austria, and will likely be anticipating a hat-trick. This yr’s Australia race has been postponed to November due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mercedes are one in every of solely three groups with an unchanged line-up — the others are Williams and Alfa Romeo — and Sunday will see a string of firsts.
The Schumacher title, and the display abbreviation MSC, will likely be again for the primary time since Ferrari nice Michael’s farewell in 2012 as his 22-year-old son Mick debuts for Haas.
Our first ever winner within the desert 🏆
Michael @schumacher took victory approach again in 2004 in our inaugural go to to @BAH_Int_Circuit #BahrainGP 🇧🇭 #F1 pic.twitter.com/lpxcdsp4lZ
— Method 1 (@F1) March 22, 2021
Russian rookie Nikita Mazepin additionally traces up for Haas whereas Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda makes his first race look for Crimson Bull-owned AlphaTauri.
4-times world champion Sebastian Vettel will likely be racing for Aston Martin, making a return as a constructor for the primary time since 1960 because the rebranded Racing Level, after leaving Ferrari.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo has switched from Renault to McLaren instead of Spaniard Carlos Sainz who has joined Ferrari as Charles Leclerc’s teammate.
“This season seems prefer it’s going to be a aggressive one, however I’m seeking to hit the bottom working, depart nothing on the desk,” mentioned Ricciardo.
Renault have morphed into Alpine, with double world champion Fernando Alonso returning after a two-year absence from the beginning grid to make his 312th begin.
Bahrain would be the first step of a marathon, document 23-race season — pandemic allowing — after 17 rounds final yr confined to Europe and the Center East.
