Predictions for Second Half of the F1 2021 Season
What to expect as the sport returns from the Summer break.
It’s been a thrilling first half of the 2021 Formula One season and thankfully the Summer break is over so the second half can get underway.
The 10 teams have all arrived at Spa-Francorchamps with very different goals in mind for the remaining races — how many is still unknown! — and, as we all know, in F1 anything can happen and it usually does.
With that in mind, and with so much still up in the air for what will happen next, here are five predictions to keep in mind for the deciding set of races and the final few of this generation of cars.
5. More Points for George Russell
The Briton was knocking on the door of the points before finally breaking his duck in Hungary. It was fortuitous in the end, with so many from the grid being wiped out on the opening laps.
But in Austria and Great Britain George Russell was able to make it into Q3 and even finished in 11th during that second race in the Red Bull Ring.
Nicholas Latifi outscored Russell in Hungary, but the Canadian has never come as close to scoring points as the 23-year old, and Russell should still be aiming to finish ahead of his teammate in the Drivers standings this season.
4. Another Surprise Winner
Nobody expected Esteban Ocon to win in Hungary, much like no one expected Pierre Gasly to win in Monza last season.
Indeed, any race not won by Red Bull or Mercedes — or even just Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton — is a surprise given their advantage over the rest of the field.
But given the pace of both Ferrari and McLaren so far this season, neither should be ruled out from claiming an unlikely win this season. In fact, Monza may be a good opportunity for McLaren given their pace with the Renault engine there last season.
Ferrari are also reportedly set to bring engine upgrades to both their cars later in the season and perhaps they could be significant enough to close the gap to the front two teams.
Then, there is the simple effect of a small hint of total chaos. We’ve seen it happen in Hungary, Monza and even in Sakhir last season. It can always happen again.
3. Fernando Alonso Scores Elusive Podium
The Spaniard has been stuck on 97 career podiums ever since the 2014 Hungarian Grand Prix. But it was Hungary this season that he claimed his highest race finish since leaving Ferrari.
Fernando Alonso has shown the speed and the desire since coming back to the sport this season, but there is still more to come from the 40-year old.
While Alpine have the fifth fastest car on the grid, and thus there are several cars ahead on any given weekend, there will likely still be a chance or two for Alonso to get back on the podium.
F1 is rarely simple, but Alonso makes it look that way and amid all the chaos he can thrive.
2. Hamilton and Verstappen Keep It Clean
Having a championship battle this season has been immense fun and has made for amazing tension — the French Grand Prix a technical highlight — but when the two contenders collided in Silverstone everything became a million times more toxic.
The drivers have made public their wish to move on, but they will have to race each other again this season. It will always hang in the back of everyone’s minds the next time they duel wheel-to-wheel.
However, the two are such high quality drivers that will know the consequences of risking another collision. Both will want to avoid dropping further points to each other and both have the skill required to do so.
It will be better if they can keep things clean, as dramatic as Silverstone was, we don’t want the championship to be decided by one driver benefiting from contact with the other. This isn’t the 1990’s.
1. Daniel Ricciardo Starts to Turn It Around
Belgium represents Daniel Ricciardo’s 200th Grand Prix in F1, which means there is no better time to start showing his old self once again. It might not be quite that simple, but as the season progresses we should hopefully start to see the best of the Australian again.
The 32-year old is the highest driver in the standings yet to score a podium, which must now be the goal for him personally, as well as helping McLaren secure third place in the Constructors.
Ricciardo doesn’t necessarily need to find his feet with the car this season because next year’s one will be so different. But, it would still be a massive boost to his own confidence to end the season on a high.
