2021 Formula One British Grand Prix

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British Grand Prix 2021 Alfa Romeo Sauber Formula 1.jpg

How do you think the 2021 British Grand Prix will play out? Will Toto Wolff’s prediction come true?

  • Yes, Mercedes will be able to compete with Red Bull

    Votes: 125 49.0%

  • No, Red Bull’s domination will continue

    Votes: 126 49.4%

  • Other, let us know in the comments below

    Votes: 4 1.6%
  • Total voters
    255
How do you follow up the 2020 British Grand Prix, where the winner finished with only 3 working tires? A new qualifying system for 2021 and a second-place team expecting a sizable victory just might do it.

Formula One is back in action this weekend, taking on the Silverstone circuit for the 2021 British Grand Prix. Max Verstappen currently holds an impressive 32-point advantage over reigning champion Lewis Hamilton in the drivers' standings, while their respective teams rank in the same order with a 44-point gap.

Hamilton will look to gain back some ground in the standings after failing to get a podium finish at the Austrian Grand Prix on the fourth of July. This is Hamilton’s home race, and seven of his record 98 wins have come at this circuit. Hamilton’s recent dominance at the British GP includes winning six of the last seven races here, with his worst finish since 2014 being a second place in 2018.

Max Verstappen is favored to upset that dominance this weekend, amid his strongest season ever. Verstappen enters the weekend on a three-race win streak and has taken a podium in every race except Azerbaijan, a race he was leading before a tire failure.

Toto Wolff says that he expects his Mercedes team to take a 1-2 victory with a 30 second margin at Silverstone. Mercedes finds themselves trailing behind Red Bull so far this season, but Wolff believes that recent upgrades to their W12 car will put them ahead of their rivals.

Sprint Qualifying​

Fans can also expect some extra racing this weekend. Breaking from the usual FP1 > FP2 > FP3 > Qualifying > Race format, Formula One will introduce Sprint Qualifying this weekend.

There are two sessions scheduled for Friday: Free Practice 1 and Qualifying (Q1, Q2 and Q3). This qualifying session is to determine the grid order for the Sprint Race on Saturday. Free Practice 2 will happen in advance of the Sprint Qualifying, then the drivers will take to the track for a 100-kilometer race session to determine the starting grid for Sunday’s race. In addition to grid positions, the drivers and teams will also be vying for up to three championship points from the sprint race.

Verstappen in elite form​

With 14 races remaining on the calendar, Mercedes and Hamilton can still catch Verstappen and Red Bull, but there is a growing sense that if the momentum is to shift, it needs to happen soon. Max has been in elite form behind the wheel of his RB16B this year. The last two races at Austria’s Red Bull Ring had Verstappen taking both pole position and the race win.

Moving down the standings, 46 points behind Verstappen and Hamilton is Sergio Perez of Red Bull, who is the only driver other than the top two to score a victory this season. Perez has been overshadowed by his teammate this year, but his 104 championship points has helped elevate Red Bull well above Mercedes in the constructors' standings.

Norris aims for another strong show​

Further back in the field, Lando Norris hopes to continue his excellent season for McLaren with another strong showing, after having finished an impressive third last time out in Austria. Norris currently sits fourth in the drivers' standings, ahead of Valterri Bottas in his Mercedes. Bottas finished ahead of his teammate in the second race in Austria, but his inconsistent performance has led many to speculate about his future at Mercedes.

Norris’ teammate Daniel Ricciardo has had a less than stellar season so far. He has yet to break into the top five so far this year, and at the Styrian Grand Prix three weeks ago he finished a disappointing 13th.

Norris has proven that McLaren has the pace to beat all but Mercedes and Red Bull, so hopefully Ricciardo can find his groove with the MCL35M and start improving his results.

Ferrari​

The talented Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz find themselves just two points apart after nine races. Leclerc holds a slight edge in points, but Sainz has posted the only Ferrari podium this season with his third-place finish in Monaco.

There is a midfield fight for fifth place in the constructors' championship, with AlphaTauri just four points ahead of Aston Martin. Behind them is Alpine with 32 points scored so far. And rounding out the field are Alfa Romeo, Williams, and Haas, with two Alfa Romeo 10th place finishes accounting for the only points between the three teams.
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About author
Mike Smith
Mike Smith
I have been obsessed with sim racing and racing games since the 1980's. My first taste of live auto racing was in 1988, and I couldn't get enough ever since. Lead writer for RaceDepartment, and owner of SimRacing604 and its YouTube channel. Favourite sims include Assetto Corsa Competizione, Assetto Corsa, rFactor 2, Automobilista 2, DiRT Rally 2 - On Twitter as @simracing604

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Comments

K
muzikant said:
it's not about the crash it's all about respect from LH to Max You get that, don't you?
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I was reacting to your use of the word "deadly". This was not a deadly crash, no matter how Horner and Verstappen fans want to present it. Yes, it was a big impact, but I've seen far worse. Now, some people talk as if Hamilton had intended to murder Verstappen.

Back to my point: motor racing is a very risky activity and crash like that one have happened in the past and will happen again.

As far as respect is concerned, Hamilton won the race in front of his fans and was told that Max was fine (and indeed, he was). What was he supposed to do? Cry on the podium? Get down on his knees and pray? Pretend to be concerned when there was no cause for concern?
 
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P
Bram Hengeveld said:
This was just a racing incident and this time Max was on the receiving end.
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Like Albon was before with Lewis, doing the same to him as well? Have you seen this video from Ermin? Lewis/Mercedes know exactly what they are doing, with only one goal, stay on top (the King) of the mountain. That’s also one of the reason they won 7 titles in a row. If it is good for the sport does not matter… as long as it is good for Mercedes and Lewis. I was never a Lewis fan, but had great respect for him as a driver… you may notice I used the word… had…
 
muzikant
Kingkoenig said:
I was reacting to your use of the word "deadly". This was not a deadly crash, no matter how Horner and Verstappen fans want to present it. Yes, it was a big impact, but I've seen far worse. Now, some people talk as if Hamilton had intended to murder Verstappen.

Back to my point: motor racing is a very risky activity and crash like that one have happened in the past and will happen again.

As far as respect is concerned, Hamilton won the race in front of his fans and was told that Max was fine (and indeed, he was). What was he supposed to do? Cry on the podium? Get down on his knees and pray? Pretend to be concerned when there was no cause for concern?
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This was not a deadly crash? Its 51 G
where do you get that wisdom from? For sure it is deadly
 
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muzikant
Kingkoenig said:
Excellent analysis, pretty much what Chandhok said on Sky last sunday.

Mika Häkkinen also wrote on Twitter that it was a racing incident.
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www.gpblog.com

Barichello: Hamilton needed bigger penalty after crash with Verstappen

During this week there is not so much talk about the race last weekend, but more about the incident of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Who was at fault, was the penalty enough and was Hamilton's reaction disrespectful afterwards?
www.gpblog.com www.gpblog.com

british people and some people will defend it. except Bernie Eclestone who says the same as Barichello
 
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Mike Kadlcak
muzikant said:
This was not a deadly crash? Its 51 G
where do you get that wisdom from? For sure it is deadly
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You are not an expert either... Paul Tracy survived 200G accident (walked away) and Kenny Brack survived 214 G. Look at those numbers and then just go figure. Racecar drivers are athletes and can take those Gs.

Max walked outta this crash so why wouldn't he celebrate the win? Its not like that it was uncertain what would happen to Max.. you kinda compare it to Schumacher when he was jumping around on the podium after Senna died in that race.
 
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Damage Inc
muzikant said:
it's not about the crash it's all about respect from LH to Max You get that, don't you? This could have ended differently and the Fia is certainly partly to blame, with a 10 second penalty someone else will indeed try this. They don't have the balls to do it at the home GP or they are not consistent. this has happened many times before.
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Sadly there is a history of this with the "golden boys" of the time....Senna, Schumacher In Moto GP Rossi (although Rossi was heavily punished) and now Marquez. Although I won't put Lewis' actions fully in that category as all those did things on purpose and I don't believe Lewis' was that, it was (parden the pun for those that get it) ham fisted.
 
muzikant
it's funny you keep defending. but otherwise fine. It is of course possible that Max will do the same with Lewis. curious about your comments? I now know what is allowed from some Hamilton fans. we are going to Hungary
 
Damage Inc
Regarding the "race" issue. Several things need to be addressed (but never will). Lewis' race has been pushed MORE by those non white and Lewis himself so division is to be expected and insults from some knuckle dragging quarters. If it had just been "look at this amazing driver" then a portion of the division wouldn't exist leaving just the knuckle draggers who do NOT represent the white race one jot. Even though we get the nonsense that it's indicative of the racism in all whites according to many with a certain agenda. They forget that despite a few thousand insults from the knob ends, MILLIONS of whites are anti racism, and support non whites.

Lewis (even though I hate his dominance as much as I hated Schumacher's and Vettel's before) represents me as a brit as much as any driver in the past, I couldn't give a rats crack what colour he is, but when people need "respresentation" I wonder why as I don't see colour, I just see a fellow person. Sadly I'm seeing more and more (just like ALM) that "colour blindness" is being slagged off on Social media by a lot of non whites and the woke brigade. I mean wtf is up with that? That is seriously NOT helping race relations at all. Also I was seeing a lot of similar stuff regarding the insults England players got...saw a lot of "whites players wouldn't get insulted"...which was pure nonsense and ignorance as literaly EVERY penalty misser in England's recent history has been lambasted and David Beckham had APPALLING abuse after 98 includiing effigies of him being hanged. I guess what I'm trying to say is regarding race issues of today both sides are equally to blame IMO and non whites are often as racist as those who they slag off as being racist to them.

I also hate this world, I am disabled and have had systemic and institutionalised dicrimination with the systems UK govts have put in place in recent years....thousands of disabled people have died in the UK because of this...and the VAST majority of people don't care. Yet because of my skin colour I'm "privileged"?
 
muzikant
Damage Inc said:
Regarding the "race" issue. Several things need to be addressed (but never will). Lewis' race has been pushed MORE by those non white and Lewis himself so division is to be expected and insults from some knuckle dragging quarters. If it had just been "look at this amazing driver" then a portion of the division wouldn't exist leaving just the knuckle draggers who do NOT represent the white race one jot. Even though we get the nonsense that it's indicative of the racism in all whites according to many with a certain agenda. They forget that despite a few thousand insults from the knob ends, MILLIONS of whites are anti racism, and support non whites.

Lewis (even though I hate his dominance as much as I hated Schumacher's and Vettel's before) represents me as a brit as much as any driver in the past, I couldn't give a rats crack what colour he is, but when people need "respresentation" I wonder why as I don't see colour, I just see a fellow person. Sadly I'm seeing more and more (just like ALM) that "colour blindness" is being slagged off on Social media by a lot of non whites and the woke brigade. I mean wtf is up with that? That is seriously NOT helping race relations at all. Also I was seeing a lot of similar stuff regarding the insults England players got...saw a lot of "whites players wouldn't get insulted"...which was pure nonsense and ignorance as literaly EVERY penalty misser in England's recent history has been lambasted and David Beckham had APPALLING abuse after 98 includiing effigies of him being hanged. I guess what I'm trying to say is regarding race issues of today both sides are equally to blame IMO and non whites are often as racist as those who they slag off as being racist to them.

I also hate this world, I am disabled and have had systemic and institutionalised dicrimination with the systems UK govts have put in place in recent years....thousands of disabled people have died in the UK because of this...and the VAST majority of people don't care. Yet because of my skin colour I'm "privileged"?
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I am also strongly against racism let that be clear! in any form. some sports people are dark skinned I don't care. I used to love Carl Lewis.. I love Denzel Washington. I don't like Ronaldo but I like Messi. I hope the world gets wiser. even when it comes to taking care of nature
 
Dzul
Premium
I had a conversation with a colleague yesterday about how extreme a lot of online discussions have become lately, after reading that the dutch website of racingnews365 decided to close their comments section for a while after things got pretty ugly on a post regarding the HAM-VER crash (link below, in dutch):

https://racingnews365.nl/trieste-reacties-en-racisme

I think the only people who can end this negative spiral are Max and Lewis. My hope is that Lewis makes an apology to Max, he accepts it (either or both if only for the polite form), and they can address it openly in the media so that closure can be given to this war-of-words.

It will also help if Max can ask his "fans" to drop the anger, move on and behave when F1 gets to Zandvoort. Because some of the comments there were just flat outrageous. Some even trying to mobilise people against drivers and teams in a physical way. I expect civility to endure but it's a scary thought. I've been in situations where a few individuals get a crowd riled up and things can escalate quickly, even out of control. It would be a true shame if something like that takes place.
 
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LeSunTzu
Hamilton has no apology to make. Somebody once said "il you don't go for a gap that exists, you're no longer a racing driver". Btw Hamilton almost quoted it word for word in an interview after the race.
 
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Dzul
Premium
LeSunTzu said:
Hamilton has no apology to make. Somebody once said "il you don't go for a gap that exists, you're no longer a racing driver". Btw Hamilton almost quoted it word for word in an interview after the race.
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"if only for the polite form"

I think we've all at least once 'apologised' even though it wasn't 'necessary' just to keep things 'civil'. That's the point I'm trying to bring across amigo. :coffee:
 
muzikant
LeSunTzu said:
Hamilton has no apology to make. Somebody once said "il you don't go for a gap that exists, you're no longer a racing driver". Btw Hamilton almost quoted it word for word in an interview after the race.
Click to expand...
The problem is there was no gap in that corner

the fia lacks consequence lacks people like Charly Whitting... if there is no honesty and justice. you get all kinds of opinions and everything will become harder, the responsibility lies mainly with the Fia.
 
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LeSunTzu
I understand, but what I'm saying is that Hamilton is very unlikely to apologize for something he (like part of the other drivers) considers hard racing and nothing more. The reference to Senna's words is confirmation that he will no longer be his usual PC persona in the next future (edit: except probably if he happens to be on the other end of the incident, because he is human) ;) Think 2016.
 
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zwiss
muzikant said:
The problem is there was no gap in that corner

the fia lacks consequence lacks people like Charly Whitting... if there is no honesty and justice. you get all kinds of opinions and everything will become harder, the responsibility lies mainly with the Fia.
Click to expand...
"No gap".
Clip0002.jpg


Are you really continuing this nonsense till you drop?
FIA are biased?
Mercedes are an immoral team?
Hamilton deserves no respect?
Hamilton tried to kill Max?
Max is always fair?
Jolyon Palmer knows nothing about racing, or is he biased?
Michael Masi is helping Hamilton with the red flag?

It was a typical racing incident between 2 aggressive drivers, with more blame on Hamilton.
This **** has happened for the last 70 years when two of the best drivers do all to win and to find the limit, especially since a high G crash won't kill you anymore. I am sure they found the limit now, and Max will NOT go for revenge, he is smarter than you.
I hope he will be smart and take the title ;)
 
Damage Inc
Bottom line is a flat out Copse has NO GAP to go for. I see people online comparing it to Imola, totally different corner types. And considering the nature of the run off (or lack therof) at Copse then any collision there is incredibly dangerous. Driver behind/off the racing line (and Lewis was behind/off the racing line) is responsible for 99% of incidents.

although to be fair reverse the outcome and all the twats would be saying different things (racists would be laughing at Lewis and Lewis fanbois would be going just as mental as Max fans are now....people in the middle like me would be blaming Max)
 
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