The 2021 Formula One Season, formally known as the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship is set to be the 72nd season of the FIA Formula One World Championship, awarding titles to the highest scoring driver and constructor. The season is among the most anticipated in F1 history, featuring a major budget cap and the return of Aston Martin as a de jure constructor.[1][2]
The season had also been touted as having a major rulebook change, which would see the reintroduction of "ground-effect" to F1.[1] However, as a result of the impact of the 2019-20 Coronavirus Outbreak, the rulebook changes were pushed back to the 2022 season.[3]
Background
Teams and Drivers
| Constructor | Chassis | Tyre | No. | Driver | Rounds | Test/Reserve Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Engine | |||||
| Alfa Romeo-Ferrari | TBA | P | ||||
 Alfa Romeo Racing[4][5]
|
Ferrari[6] | |||||
| AlphaTauri-Honda | TBA | P | ||||
 Scuderia Alpha Tauri Honda[7]
|
Honda | |||||
| Aston Martin | TBA | P | 11 |  Sergio Pérez[8]
|
||
 Aston Martin Racing[2]
|
||||||
| Ferrari | TBA | P | 16 |  Charles Leclerc[9]
|
||
| Scuderia Ferrari[4]
|
Ferrari | |||||
| Haas-Ferrari | TBA | P | ||||
 Haas F1 Team[4]
|
Ferrari[10] | |||||
| McLaren-Mercedes | TBA | P | ||||
| McLaren F1 Team[4]
|
Mercedes[11] | |||||
| Red Bull Racing-Honda | TBA | P | 33 |  Max Verstappen[12]
|
||
 Red Bull Racing[4]
|
Honda[7] | |||||
| Renault | TBA | P | 31 |  Esteban Ocon[13]
|
||
| Renault F1 Team
|
Renault | |||||
| Williams-Mercedes | TBA | P | 63 | George Russell[14]
|
||
| ROKiT Williams Racing[15]
|
Mercedes[16] | |||||
Changes from last season
Team changes
Driver changes
Mid-season Changes
Team changes
Driver changes
Season Calendar
Changes from last season
Races not on <!-previous season--> calendar
Races removed from calendar
Schedule Changes
Regulations
The 2021 season would see a major overhaul of the technical regulations, following two years of consultations between the FIA, Liberty Media, constructors and drivers following the creation of the FIA Working Group.[17] The main focus of the project was to improve and increase the amount of overtaking in F1, as years of aerodynamic development had made turbulence produced by other cars a major issue.[17] There were also plans to implement a budget cap to control spending, change the rim size of tyres to 18" and increased part standardisation.[18]
Technical
The major results of the Working Group's investigations would result in the legalisation of "ground effect", which had been banned in F1's rulebook since 1983.[19] Pirelli, meanwhile, were to implement a new 18" tyre to replace the old 13" that had been F1's standardised tyre size since the 1970s, while teams also agreed to use standardised tyre warmers.[20] The former change was implemented to make F1 more road relevant, increase aerodynamic stability, and for aesthetic considerations, with trials being conducted throughout 2020.[18]
Aerodynamics
For 2021 constructors will be allowed to develop the underside of their cars (ie the floor) to make it the main generator of aerodynamic grip via the use of of ground effect.[18] This was combined with heavy restrictions on development of aerodynamic devices on the top side of the car, with simplified front and rear wings as well as restrictions on the development of bargeboards.[18] The study by the FIA Working Group suggested that these changes would reduce the downforce loss from following another car from 45% in 2019 to 14% in 2021.[21]
Bodywork
For 2021 all external components of an F1 car must be coated in rubber to help insulate marshals and team engineers from the electrical systems on board each car.[18] Elsewhere, front wings were to be mounted directly to the nosecone, resulting in a lower nose overall, while rear wings were to be mounted higher and with a larger surface area.[18] This was intended to not only make a bigger hole in the air, but also throw the wake from the back of an F1 car higher into the air, creating a larger slipstream effect.[18]
Standardised Parts
From 2021 a number of standardised parts will have to be used by F1 teams, designed to reduce budgets, reduce the competitive gap between teams, and tempt more customer-style teams to the series.[18] The main systems to be made universal were the gearbox and fuel system, while the front tray on the floor would also be standardised to restrict development.[18][22] Otherwise, each individual part would fall under one of the following categories:
| 2021 Part Categories | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | Parts |
| Listed | Parts that must be developed by the constructor/entrant themselves. | Chassis; Monocoque |
| Standard | Any part that is standardised according to the technical rulebook, with a universal supplier for the entire championship. | Gearbox; Fuel system; Halo |
| Transferable | Parts and systems that constructors may develop themselves and then sell to their competitors. | Engine; Clutch; Rear suspension |
| Prescribed | Parts that teams must develop themselves but according to a heavily restricted rulebook. | Wheel rims |
| Open-sourced | Constructors and entrants may collaborate to develop these parts and they may be sold to other entrants. | DRS; Steering wheel |
| Source:[18] | ||
This classification system was not only intended to outline where and how much a car could be developed, but also ensure that there was some form of base playing field for the 2021 season.[18]
Engines
There were plans to change the engine formula in 2021, although this was dropped by the FIA as a result of maintaining costs and a lack of external interest from other major manufacturers.[18]
Sporting
The main change for the 2021 season to the sporting rules would be the implementation of a budget cap, albeit one that only applied to the development and performance of the car.[18] There were also to be changes to the race weekend format, designed to make a Grand Prix weekend fit into three days rather than four, as well as extensions to the Parc Ferme rules.[18]
Finances
For 2021 a budget cap of $175 million would be implemented, with teams legally required to submit financial material to the FIA to ensure that they do not exceed the limit.[23] Furthermore, this budget cap would be somewhat fluid, with an increase of $1 million planned for each race if the calendar exceeded 21 races, while it would decrease by $1 million should the calendar feature fewer than 21 races.[23] This budget cap, which will be regulated by the new Cost Cap Administration, would be active until 2026, with a variety of penalties able to be enforced should a team break them:
| 2021 Financial Penalties | ||
|---|---|---|
| Breach | Description | Potential Penalty |
| Procedural | Late submission or inaccuracy of accounts. | Fine (variable) |
| Minor Overspend | Overspend on the cost cap by 5% or less. | ibid; Reprimand; Point deduction; Race ban; Testing Limits |
| Material Overspend | Overspend by more than 5% of the cost cap. | ibid; Exclusion from the World Championship |
| Source[23] | ||
The Cost Cap will not, however, apply to an entire constructor/entrant's budget, and is instead focused on restricting development.[23] Elements excluded include marketing budgets, driver and senior staff wages and other non-F1 programmes such as factory supported Heritage teams.[23] Furthermore, there would be a separate cost cap of $15 million for teams selling customer engines, while logistic costs will be monitored separately.[23]
Points
The point scoring system would remain unchanged for 2021, and would continue to follow the FIA's standardised system:
| 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship Points Table | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | FL |
| 25 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Race Weekend
For 2021 the FIA and F1 would eliminate Thursday's schedule of media commitments, which would instead be held on Friday morning.[18] This would result in a more condensed race weekend, while all teams would be required to run a young driver in at least two FP1 sessions across the season.[24] Furthermore, Parc Ferme rules would be implemented from the end of FP3 rather than the end of Q1 in qualifying, in order to reduce the amount of setup work teams could do.[18]
FIA Super Licence
The FIA Super Licence would be slightly tweaked for 2021, with a relaxation on restrictions for young drivers running in free practice.[24] Any driver wishing to run in FP1 or 2 would only require an FIA International A Licence in 2021, although it would also be open to any driver who had competed in two or fewer Grand Prix.[24] Each FP1/2 appearance would also grant a driver one SL point if they completed over 100km.[24]
Season Report
Season Results
Testing
Race result
Championship Standings
References
Videos and Images:
References:
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedRules - ↑ 2.0 2.1 James Attwood, 'Billionaire Stroll takes major stake in Aston Martin', autocar.com, (Haymarket Media Group, 31/01/2020), https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/billionaire-stroll-takes-major-stake-aston-martin, (Accessed 31/01/2020)
- ↑ 'FIA announce new F1 regulations to be delayed until 2022', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 19/03/2020), https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.fia-announce-new-f1-regulations-to-be-delayed-until-2022.1lwtaLmpNcQd0z9SnMEyK8.html, (Accessed 19/03/2020)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedEntryList - ↑ "The Sauber F1 Team enters a multi-year partnership agreement with Alfa Romeo". Sauber F1 Team. 29 November 2017. https://www.sauberf1team.com/news/the-sauber-f1-team-enters-a-multi-year-partnership-agreement-with-alfa-romeo. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
- ↑ "Sauber confirms new Ferrari engine deal". ESPN.com (ESPN Inc.). 28 July 2017. http://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/20178711/sauber-confirms-new-ferrari-engine-deal. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 'Honda to power Red Bull and Toro Rosso in 2021', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 27/11/2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.honda-to-power-red-bull-and-toro-rosso-in-2021.TPZmyiH4bIx1juGGddDA2.html, (Accessed 31/01/2020)
- ↑ >Scott Mitchell, 'Perez signs new three-year F1 deal with Racing Point', motorsport.com, (Motorsport Network, 30/08/2019), https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/perez-multi-year-racing-point-deal/4524728/, (Accessed 30/08/2019)
- ↑ 'Leclerc and Ferrari announce multi-year agreement', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 23/12/2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.leclerc-and-ferrari-announce-multi-year-agreement.15KE5peUSaaOijD8jQYPEj.html, (Accessed 31/01/2020)
- ↑ Cooper, Adam (30 August 2018). "Haas: Ferrari doesn't dictate our 2019 driver choice". motorsport.com (Motorsport Network). https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/haas-ferrari-doesnt-dictate-our-2019-driver-choice/3167769/. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
- ↑ Andrew Benson, 'Formula 1: McLaren to return to Mercedes engines from 2021 season', bbc.co.uk/sport, (British Broadcasting Company, 28/09/2019), https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/49859259, (Accessed 31/01/2020)
- ↑ 'DRIVER MARKET: Verstappen commits to Red Bull until the end of 2023', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 07/01/2020), https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.driver-market-max-verstappen-commits-to-red-bull-until-the-end-of-2023.2XUgc3xrGozMMY6lKRYeQz.html, (Accessed 31/01/2020)
- ↑ Valentin Khorounzhiy; Scott Mitchell, 'Ocon to replace Hulkenberg at Renault', motorsport.com, (Motorsport Network, 29/08/2019), https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/ocon-to-replace-hulkenberg-at-renault/4523388/, (Accessed 31/01/2020)
- ↑ Asher Fair, 'Formula 1: Williams confirm George Russell through 2021', beyondtheflag.com, (FanSided, 2019), https://beyondtheflag.com/2019/08/01/formula-1-williams-confirm-george-russell-2021/amp/, (Accessed 31/01/2020)
- ↑ Scott Mitchell, 'Williams reveals its 2019 F1 livery', motorsport.com, (Motorsport Network, 11/02/2019), https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/williams-new-car-2019-fw42/4335805/, (Accessed 13/02/2019)
- ↑ Cooper, Adam (27 July 2018). "Williams considering 2019 Mercedes F1 gearbox supply deal". autosport.com (Motorsport Network). https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/137664/williams-considering-mercedes-gearbox-deal. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Johnathan Noble (Archived), 'F1 creates aero group to find 2021 loopholes in same way teams try', autosport.com, (Motorsport Network, 19/07/2019), https://web.archive.org/web/20190719185544/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/144890/f1-creates-aero-group-to-find-2021-rules-loopholes, (Accessed 31/01/2020) - Original
- ↑ 18.00 18.01 18.02 18.03 18.04 18.05 18.06 18.07 18.08 18.09 18.10 18.11 18.12 18.13 18.14 18.15 'F1’s revolutionary 2021 rulebook – The thinking behind the changes', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 31/10/2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.f1s-revolutionary-2021-rulebook-the-thinking-behind-the-changes.7cHf6WKM5FvCIZSPwhwvvZ.html, (Accessed 31/01/2020)
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedGroundEffectBan83 - ↑ Adam Cooper, 'Decision to ban tyre blankets from F1 for 2021 reversed', autosport.com, (Motorsport Network, 11/10/2019), https://web.archive.org/web/20191012012519/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/146522/f1-2021-tyre-blanket-ban-decision-reversed, (Accessed 31/01/2020) - Original
- ↑ Autosport, 'F1’s 2021 rule changes: 10 things you need to know', youtube.com, (Youtube: Motorsport Network, 01/11/2019), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk-JKrs0rrc, (Accessed 31/01/2020)
- ↑ Adam Cooper, 'FIA issues tender for standard F1 gearbox supplier from 2021 season', autosport.com, (Motorsport Network, 19/02/2019), https://web.archive.org/web/20190926220647/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/141610/f1-teams-will-use-standard-gearbox-from-2021, (Accessed 31/01/2020) - Original
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 Lawrence Barretto, 'What is the 2021 F1 cost cap and how will it be enforced?', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 31/10/2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.what-is-the-2021-f1-cost-cap-and-how-will-it-be-enforced.4l0LPbfFgBhDxjccMseCHO.html, (Accessed 31/01/2020)
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 '2021 regulations to offer more opportunities for young drivers', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 01/11/2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.2021-regulations-to-offer-more-opportunities-for-young-drivers.jIR3iFq89dvF0axUKJPvD.html, (Accessed 31/01/2020)
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