Hello and welcome to first newsletter of this brand new year. If 2020 was treacherous then 2021 seems to be the year of hope. I see this as the year akin to one where babies take their first step. In the coming years, we will grow to tackle the pandemic better and fight future pandemics faster together. Till then, wear your mask social distance, wash or sanitize your hands.
What's in a calendar? If you ask FIA, the governing body of motorsports, including F1, the answer is a lot. Every year, the calendar is set well in advance and you know which city or country will host the Grand Prix months in advance. Imagine you are going on a trip to Germany and what better thing to do than align it with German Grand Prix.
However, that calendar was struck out, torn apart and burned to the last bit by COVID-19 last year. Sure, F1 did manage to put out a spectacle in the form of the 17 race season but events happened in an unexpected manner and F1 either went to a venue for the first time or returned to a venue after a few years.
In a way, it was like offering your spare parking space to a neighbour in need. Why this reference? Well, I see my neighbours fighting for parking space all the time. So, at the end of Abu Dhabi GP in December, Formula 1 managed to offer a provisional calendar for 2021. Oh my God, it was not any regular calendar.
A calendar with 23 race events, most in modern times. That is effing incredible. It is like going back to a world where COVID-19 didn't exist or didn't happen. If you are in FIA or Liberty Media's shoes, you would be feeling pretty confident of pulling out any kind of a motorsport event. They managed 17 races in the worst year and managing 23 when vaccines are rolling out shouldn't be a problem, right? Not so fast, speedsters.
The biggest roadblock to planning anything right now is the unpredictability. Coronavirus has not gone anywhere. In fact, it is mutating in new forms and is proving more contagious than the original. Vaccine rollout will probably take months to ramp up while the new mutation is expected to spread. Look at the UK. Look at the US. Australia is rightfully being vigilant and that vigilance has costed F1.
Every year, Formula 1 goes to Barcelona for preseason testing and then goes to Australia for the opening race of the calendar year. This year, it was expected to be back to business starting with a race at Albert Park during the week of March 18th. However, COVID has forced the organizers to reschedule.
F1 will officially go to Australia in November and there are still 23 races in the calendar. The season opener is being held at Bahrain this year and Imola fills the gap left by Chinese Grand Prix. The venue for the third race remains TBC. For me, that alone shows the gravity of Coronavirus.
As 2020 demonstrated very clearly, when these teams and drivers go to a venue during different times, they are not only physically challenged but also mentally. Remember ice skating at Turkish Grand Prix. So, experience and race craft might triumph over sheer engine performance.
So, Australia could spring a surprise. The real question right now is whether F1 will be able to create a bubble effective enough to hold 23 races. Will there be any other big ticket changes before the season officially gets underway. Will 2021 really become the year when the situation puts every team on an even footing, something FIA hasn't been for now.
Next Sunday, look forward to a deep dive into teams and their driver lineup. There is a lot that has changed and I can't wait to watch F1 races again on my big screen. Yeah, no plans to travel this year, even if it becomes plausible.
Quick F1 News:
Australian Grand Prix moves to November.
Charles Leclerc tested positive for COVID-19.
Carlos Sainz officially starts training with Scuderia Ferrari team.
Daniel Ricciardo takes his seat at McLaren with that honey badger style intact.
Sebastian Vettel in British racing green is something fans are waiting for.
Alpine revealed its interim livery and its icy “BLACK”.
We are proud to introduce our 2021 #FormulaOne single-seater, the A521, dressed in its temporary winter livery. The black colour is a tribute to the A500 F1 prototype from 1975. Learn more about #AlpineCars new ambitions revealed today: alpinecars.com/en/press/alpin…Cyril Abiteboul departs Renault. Davide Brivio joins aforementioned Alpine F1 Team as Racing Director.
This is my favorite: Romain Grosjean's dressing is fully off and Petrus is happy.
Take this for positivity. Wishing you all a productive week ahead.
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