VIDEO | Predicting some potential dark horses for the 2021 F1 season
General
The start of the 2021 Formula 1 season is just days away now so fans around the world are making their calls for the World Championship favourites, and predicting some outcomes that we could see this season. We’ve already made our predictions but today we wanted to take a look at who could spring a surprise this year, who could be the one to make a shock impact when no one saw it coming. So without further ado here’s some of our picks for dark horses in F1 this year!
Esteban Ocon
A few weeks ago I explained how I thought Esteban Ocon would be beaten by Fernando Alonso but I did also try to emphasise that it could go either way! And that is what makes the French driver a shout as a dark horse. Ocon showed flashes of his great race ability during his time at Force India a few years ago as his dual with Sergio Perez caused sparks to fly. A year out of the sport was far from ideal but he returned with a quiet season in 2020, picking up an under-appreciated podium in Sakhir. However, 2021 is a big year for him. He will need to pick up results and prove he is capable of leading the team, otherwise Alpine might get restless. All eyes are on Alonso this year so that may help Ocon really shine with the focus off him a little bit. Oh and there’s also the added motivation of trying to beat a two time World Champ!
Lance Stroll
Another man who has the chance to beat a multiple-time world champion in a team battle is Lance Stroll. At Aston Martin all the focus is on the name, the colour and the arrival of the four-time World Champion, so probably for the first time since his father took over at the top, Stroll has a chance to go under the radar a little bit. Last year he had some great results. P3 at Monza and on the outer loop as well as a stunning pole position in Turkey. However, he’s always been under scrutiny and the way things went with Perez last year he needs a big season. However, it is set up nicely for him to do so, he’s already shown what he is capable of, now he can go out and do it with way less pressure!
Pierre Gasly
Our second Frenchman and this one might be a bit more disputable but hear us out! Gasly has shown at Alpha Tauri that he is a brilliant driver, quick, confident and he’s really settled right now. His new teammate is Yuki Tsunoda who the Red Bull programme seem to have an awful lot of faith in. Gasly has a chance this year to really prove to his bosses that he is the man to comfortably beat Tsunoda and surely they can’t ignore him! And if they aren’t going to take note there will be a whole host of teams waiting for his services I have no doubt!
Ferrari engine
And finally, we don’t have a driver, rather the Ferrari engine. Over the last year we’ve got used to the Scuderia power unit being arguably the worst on the grid but now is a chance to prove everyone wrong. Now I’m not saying they’ll be the best engine on the grid, but I’ve got a feeling that they won’t be as bad as people think. After last year’s showing, pretty much anything is an improvement but if they can make enough improvements I think the podium will be back in sight for the Scuderia.
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