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.
About author
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

Comments

I'm hoping to see Pastor's verdict to settle the score once and for all :thumbsup:
 
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According to the current rules your claim is basically wrong. To claim the corner the car at the inside has to be significantly alongside, not in front.

For me it was a racing incident. Both driver could have avoid the accident but non of them does it.

I agree with the statement of the stewards. Hamilton is predominant to blaim here but not to the fullest.
Proof? I'm certain it's axle in front (which makes sense to me as who ever has the car in front has the right to the corner....I'm certain that's been sacrosanct in motorracing etiquette from the beginning. I will hold my hands up and say after a search and a read through of 2021 regulation I couldn't find any reference to overtaking. I mean side by side no-one has the advantage do they? If that's the regulation then it's bloody stupid IMO!
 
Does anyone have a link to the FIA F1 guidance on overtaking and who has the "right" to the racing line/corner and at what point (alongside/axle in front etc etc). Seeing a lot of it's when level as mentioned above but I can't find anything that corraborates that viewpoint. It would put the whole thing to rest to get the info from the horses (FIAs) mouth so to speak. (Unless it's not black and white info and open to interpretation...then it'll solve nowt!).
 
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Of course. It was mentioned in several videos about the incident.

This diagram was emailed by Toto Wolff to Michael Masi.

The diagram was designed some time ago to clarify what is and is not allowed during overtaking maneuvers. Both for the FIA race stewards and for the drivers.

Source:
Guideline.png
I just translated it for better understanding. Hopefully in useful way. :)
 
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Of course. It was mentioned in several videos about the incident.

This diagram was emailed by Toto Wolff to Michael Masi.

The diagram was designed some time ago to clarify what is and is not allowed during overtaking maneuvers. Both for the FIA race stewards and for the drivers.

Source:
View attachment 490424
I just translated it for better understanding. Hopefully in useful way. :)
Thanks, I still think "significant overlap" is an area to further scrutinise. Is that the official FIA F1 diagram, I'm confused because it says it was emailed from Toto. If it is official I can't believe it's as simplistic as it is, surely different corners need different overlaps? If that is official then IMO it's barmy! The fact Lewis was predominatly at fault according to the stewards then they didn't follow that diagram. Personally I think that diagram is more for a corner with an actual braking zone which copse does not have. But if it's all we have then yup, "racing incident"....someone WILL get killed in the future if they don't tighten that up!
 
Thanks, I still think "significant overlap" is an area to further scrutinise. Is that the official FIA F1 diagram, I'm confused because it says it was emailed from Toto. If it is official I can't believe it's as simplistic as it is, surely different corners need different overlaps? If that is official then IMO it's barmy! The fact Lewis was predominatly at fault according to the stewards then they didn't follow that diagram. Personally I think that diagram is more for a corner with an actual braking zone which copse does not have. But if it's all we have then yup, "racing incident"....someone WILL get killed in the future if they don't tighten that up!
It's a guideline for race stewards and drivers. It is shared between them non public. I don't think it was intended to become public at any time.
Like I said it is a guideline. It doesn't mean it will suit any incidents to 100%.
So it's always up to the stewards.
And in my opinion they did follow the guideline.

The picture is not the original one.

Quote (translated):
"Why we recreated the graphic ourselves 1: 1 and not just published the one that was shown to me is quickly explained. The original was only photographed from a piece of paper, and the person from whom I received it did not want this photographed version to be published in this way. "
 
It's a guideline for race stewards and drivers. It is shared between them non public. I don't think it was intended to become public at any time.
Like I said it is a guideline. It doesn't mean it will suit any incidents to 100%.
So it's always up to the stewards.
And in my opinion they did follow the guideline.

The picture is not the original one.

Quote (translated):
"Why we recreated the graphic ourselves 1: 1 and not just published the one that was shown to me is quickly explained. The original was only photographed from a piece of paper, and the person from whom I received it did not want this photographed version to be published in this way. "
Fair enough, I really do think that diagram (if accurate to original) should be adjusted for highspeed corners like copse. "significant overlap" isn't enough for those corners IMO. It should be the inside car is ahead to claim the corner. But looking at that I think the stewards got it right, no premeditated malice from Lewis, just a shame it ruined the race.

Although after a brief excitement of someone finally rivalling Lewis...I'm getting bored of F1 again as it's just 2 fighting for the wins all the time (and I support neither). I know F1 is all about the "pinnacle" of tech, but in recent decades it's lead to teams dominating too much and that's so boring!
 
some have political opinions or are British. fact is that Max was on the racing line and not really an ideal corner to attack. too risky! in the end Ham was found 100% guilty and that is a fact.
No Lewis was NOT found 100% guilty, but more guilty that Max.

And saying that the one on the racing line owns the corner is plain stupid.
Lewis was on the racing line in Barcelona when Max threw his car inside at the first corner.
Lewis was on the racing line in Imola, when Max took the inside.
That's how you overtake :)

Here's another video:

Racing incident, with MORE (not all) blame on Lewis.
The rest is pure emotion, from the Max fans and Red Bull team.
If you think Max would never try the inside at copse, you are insane.
Max would try EVERYTHING to get ahead, that's why we love him.
And Max makes mistakes too, but since a few years, not a lot!
Let's calm down move on please :)
 
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No Lewis was NOT found 100% guilty, but more guilty that Max.

And saying that the one on the racing line owns the corner is plain stupid.
Lewis was on the racing line in Barcelona when Max threw his car inside at the first corner.
Lewis was on the racing line in Imola, when Max took the inside.
That's how you overtake :)

Here's another video:

Racing incident, with MORE (not all) blame on Lewis.
The rest is pure emotion, from the Max fans and Red Bull team.
If you think Max would never try the inside at copse, you are insane.
Max would try EVERYTHING to get ahead, that's why we love him.
And Max makes mistakes too, but since a few years, not a lot!
Let's calm down move on please :)
Funny that Hamilton fans keep on trivializing... the first corner in Barcelona is made for overtaking braking like most corners after the start... Imola... Mexico to name a few. As I said before copse corner is such a fast corner that you can never really catch up so that does make a difference. And indeed we continue but expect that LH can no longer expect respect from Max that has been. and I'm calm don't worry if Max doesn't have too many complaints physically he will be much stronger and use his muscles now too
 
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Funny that Hamilton fans keep on trivializing... the first corner in Barcelona is made for overtaking braking like most corners after the start... Imola... Mexico to name a few. As I said before copse corner is such a fast corner that you can never really catch up so that does make a difference. And indeed we continue but expect that LH can no longer expect respect from Max that has been. and I'm calm don't worry if Max doesn't have too many complaints physically he will be much stronger and use his muscles now too?
Okay!...let's stop this nonsense once and for all.
When you're a racing driver EVERY corner and every place on track is an overtaking opportunity...if you have the testicular fortutude to go for it.
It is getting a bit tiring hearing people spouting this nonsense about... 'You're not supposed to pass here or you don't pass there'
Horner and that other idiot Marco (who is now asking for a ban) are simply responding from a money perspective.
Driver's 'tangle' all the time. This is not new.
It was 'hard' racing which resulted in contact...nothing more...nothing less.
 
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Okay!...let's stop this nonsense once and for all.
When you're a racing driver EVERY corner and every place on track is an overtaking opportunity...if you have the testicular fortutude to go for it.
It is getting a bit tiring hearing people spouting this nonsense about... 'You're not supposed to pass here or you don't pass there'
Horner and that other idiot Marco (who is now asking for a ban) are simply responding from a money perspective.
Driver's 'tangle' all the time. This is not new.
It was 'hard' racing which resulted in contact...nothing more...nothing less.
the damage of 1.8 million with the budget cap at Redbull the zero points for Max the extensive celebrating and the 10 penalty seconds is no nonsense the 51g. If you had Ham fans reversed. didn't you think it was bullshit too?
 
Funny that Hamilton fans keep on trivializing... the first corner in Barcelona is made for overtaking braking like most corners after the start... Imola... Mexico to name a few. As I said before copse corner is such a fast corner that you can never really catch up so that does make a difference. And indeed we continue but expect that LH can no longer expect respect from Max that has been. and I'm calm don't worry if Max doesn't have too many complaints physically he will be much stronger and use his muscles now too?
I am rather a Max fan, not a Hamilton fan.
Doesn't mean I NEED to be biased.
 
Funny that Hamilton fans keep on trivializing... the first corner in Barcelona is made for overtaking braking like most corners after the start... Imola... Mexico to name a few. As I said before copse corner is such a fast corner that you can never really catch up so that does make a difference. And indeed we continue but expect that LH can no longer expect respect from Max that has been. and I'm calm don't worry if Max doesn't have too many complaints physically he will be much stronger and use his muscles now too?
Muzikant :cool:
This is my last response to you cause you seems to be one of the most biased and stubborn fanboy'ish guy I've ever seen. You're talking about respect? You? It's ridiculous.
Guys like you are poison to the community.

It was said in so many reviews of incidents between Lewis and Max, Lewis was the one who backed off.
In case of Barcelona even Horner admitted:
Quote:
“Turn 1 was mega. I mean Max, that was full Max Verstappen – he was just going for it – and he positioned the car fantastically well,” said Horner after the Spanish GP. “He tucked in, he got a little bit of a tow and a bit of momentum. And yeah he just braked later and ran the car wide. Thankfully Lewis had got out of it because otherwise he would have ended up in the fence,” he added."
Source:

So if Max is going full Verstappen and others have to back off they call Max "the reigning champion". If others don't back off they'll comes with lawyers.

Btw: At Silverstone Lewis backed off twice already before the incident in Copse Corner.
 
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the damage of 1.8 million with the budget cap at Redbull the zero points for Max the extensive celebrating and the 10 penalty seconds is no nonsense the 51g. If you had Ham fans reversed. didn't you think it was bullshit too?
Damage in Formula1 is always costly...this is no different from any other weekend drivers make contact with barriers or each other.
Had Lewis 'speared' off into the Armco, my view (based on this fight) would be the same....a racing incident.
Calling it anything else... while not looking at the full reason for the contact is silly.
Lewis had understeer and braked earlier to manage it AND to make the corner.
Max turned to the right to claim the corner but also in hopes of forcing Lewis to back out of the throttle...which he had by that point.
The retardation of that Mercedes, is why Lewis went from almost level with Max to front axle to rear axle contact.
Go watch what each car is doing closely at the moment of contact a few times over.
Had Lewis stayed 'planted' in the throttle I doubt Max would have turned right so decisively.
The contact probably would still have resulted but with both of them going off track to the left of Copse.
That would have indeed been grounds for a harsh penalty, since it could be adjudged as running a fellow driver out of road.
This was a pure racing incident.
Take the emotion out of it.
 
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erg goed

I'm getting a little tired of all the theories that's it
You are the only one inventing theories.

"Copse is a corner you can not overtake":
Bullshit, Max would try to overtake in ANY corner.
"The one on the racing line always has the corner":
Bullshit, You usually have to get OFF the racing line to overtake.
"Lewis was never close enough to try a pass":
Bullshit, the footage shows he was 90% next to Max before the corner.
"Hamilton tried to kill Max":
Bullshit, he was just as aggressive as Max and made a mistake.
"It was 100% Lewis' mistake":
Bullshit, EVERY F1 specialist (except Max and Redbull) agrees that BOTH drivers were over-committed, and Hamilton is MORE to blame.

Whatever theories you invent, Max will not get his points back.
But he will be more cautious, not aggressive to make sure he doesn't loose more points. And Lewis will also try to avoid taking more blame.

We all by now understand how sad you are about the crash, and that you don't respect Hamilton. I am sure he will be very upset by this, and change his ways.
 
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You are the only one inventing theories.

"Copse is a corner you can not overtake":
Bullshit, Max would try to overtake in ANY corner.
"The one on the racing line always has the corner":
Bullshit, You usually have to get OFF the racing line to overtake.
"Lewis was never close enough to try a pass":
Bullshit, the footage shows he was 90% next to Max before the corner.
"Hamilton tried to kill Max":
Bullshit, he was just as aggressive as Max and made a mistake.
"It was 100% Lewis' mistake":
Bullshit, EVERY F1 specialist (except Max and Redbull) agrees that BOTH drivers were over-committed, and Hamilton is MORE to blame.

Whatever theories you invent, Max will not get his points back.
But he will be more cautious, not aggressive to make sure he doesn't loose more points. And Lewis will also try to avoid taking more blame.

We all by now understand how sad you are about the crash, and that you don't respect Hamilton. I am sure he will be very upset by this, and change his ways.
the one who was aggressive and frustrated is not Max but Hamilton. Karma it comes
 
the one who was aggressive and frustrated is not Max but Hamilton. Karma it comes
I didn't even say MAx is frustrated but he is often aggressive, that's why we LIKE him, remember?

You are really unstoppable, aren't you? You don't even read any common sense arguments, just keep trolling. Maybe Silverstone WAS Karma for Max, who will tell...

Ok, now its your turn again to say you don't like Hamilton.
 
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