2021 Formula One Predictions | Which drivers will win the duel with their teammate

Williams

With Nicholas Latifi and George Russell, Williams have exactly the same line-up as last year and we shouldn't expect any big surprises there. Russell is in a class of his own compared to the Canadian, as evidenced by his 16-0 win in the 2020 qualifying session and impressive average difference per qualifying of 0.645s. Russell is the clear favourite for this duel, but he will need to improve on Sunday to ensure he picks up an early point for Williams before Latifi, unlike what happened when he was partnered with Robert Kubica. 

Haas

With Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin, Haas has opted for a completely new driver line-up for 2021, and two drivers who have not driven a single lap in F1 yet. Over the years the two have competed against each other in entry-level classes and Schumacher was always the better driver in his second year. In the first year however, the Russian came close and sometimes even beat Schumacher. However, with the support of Ferrari, the advantage for the start of the season goes to the son of Michael Schumacher.

Alfa Romeo

After Williams, Alfa Romeo is the second team to stick with the 2020 lineup. Kimi Raikkonen lost the 2020 qualifying duel to Antonio Giovinazzi, but you can't help but get the impression that Raikkonen let it slip a bit in the last few races. The Italian has never been convincing against the 41-year-old Finn, and will need to be so in 2021 if he is to keep his seat in Formula One. Raikkonen will be the strongest at the start of the season, but Giovinazzi has the advantage over a whole year, as Alfa once again doesn't really seem to be competing in the midfield, and then it remains to be seen how long Raikkonen has his heart in the sport.

AlphaTauri

At AlphaTauri, Danill Kvyat has left and Yuki Tsunoda now sits alongside Pierre Gasly. The Frenchman has impressed at Red Bull Racing's sister team after being relegated, and is the team's front-runner this year. The Japanese driver will be a formidable competitor for him. Tsunoda is very fast over a single lap and has adapted enormously in just a few years in Europe. If Tsunoda can continue that in 2021 Gasly could be in trouble. For now though, the Frenchman is the favourite.

Ferrari

No more Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari, but Carlos Sainz is stepping in alongside Charles Leclerc. This might be the most interesting duo to follow in 2021. With a contract through 2024, Leclerc has the longest contract in the history of Ferrari and there is huge confidence in the young Monegasque, but he wasn't faultless in 2020. With Sainz he will have a driver next to him who is very consistent and especially strong on Sunday's. Leclerc is the favourite for this duel, but Sainz will do everything he can to avoid the stamp of second fiddle.

Alpine

The departure of Daniel Ricciardo hurt Renault a lot, but with the return of Fernando Alonso Alpine they found a leader again. However, it is a 39 year old leader who took a two year break. Alonso is a two-time world champion, but returning after a break didn't do even Michael Schumacher much good. Still, Alonso is the favourite, as he has certainly not been idle and, as usual, is doing everything he can within the team to make things right. Esteban Ocon also had a difficult year alongside Ricciardo, and will have to fear for his place if he does not get anywhere near the Spaniard this year.

Aston Martin

Aston Martin have lost their best driver from its 2020 line-up, delivering a gift to Red Bull. However, with Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin gets a figurehead and a four-time world champion in Sergio Perez's place. Whilst he is a broken driver, who is in a lot of pain from his period at Ferrari, give him the right support and car and Vettel can do great things for you. However, the past few years have shown that Lance Stroll is preferred in teams with his father so influential and that, of course, also explains the departure of Perez instead of Stroll. The Canadian is still young and will get better and better as he gets more experience, but it would have to be crazy for him to beat Vettel in 2021.

McLaren

Daniel Ricciardo took a while to adjust to Renault in 2019, but once he did they never saw him again. Nico Hulkenberg fell off his chair when he saw Daniel's times and Esteban Ocon never really came close either. In 2021, Ricciardo will make the switch to McLaren and will drive a Mercedes engine for the first time. Lando Norris is no easy prey for Ricciardo, but Norris has not left an indelible impression in the last two years. Ricciardo is one of the top drivers in Formula 1 and is therefore the favourite. Norris will have to catch up to really make a breakthrough in F1.

Red Bull Racing

At Red Bull Racing it has been clear for years who the frontrunner is. Max Verstappen has been the leader for the last two years, but in 2021 he will be joined by a teammate with the same experience as Daniel Ricciardo. Sergio Perez is experienced, incredibly strong on Sunday's and with be a challenging teammate for Verstappen. The Mexican finally gets his chance with a top team and has nothing to lose after his incredible victory in 2020. However, it is still 'team Verstappen' and with Perez first having to get used to the car, the Mexican will need to make sure he stays close to Verstappen to play a 'Bottas role' for Red Bull Racing.

Mercedes

Mercedes is the third and final team to stick with its line-up of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, despite George Russell's exceptional performance in Bahrain. The Finn will most likely start this year hopeful of a title win, but of course nobody believes that anymore. Bottas is the ideal second driver for Mercedes and Hamilton, but he has never been a real threat to Lewis and probably never will be.