The Polesitter

  The highly anticipated return of Formula 1 after 98 days since the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has encompassed the globe. New rule changes, new driver line ups, the longest race calendar in the history of the sport. It is the dawn of the new era.  Prior to the opening race in Bahrain, Formula 1 testing had revealed many details that may or may not surprise you. Ferrari had a brilliant winter with tremendous development on their new car. It was an added benefit that they finished 6th in 2020 which meant they were granted a lot more wind tunnel time as opposed to their rivals Mercedes and Red Bull. Speaking of the two title protagonists last year, the Silver Arrows, who returned to their silver livery, developed radically different sidepods to the rest of the grid. However, they experienced several difficulties with porpoising (when the car jumps up and down on the straight). Contrastingly, Red Bull looked to have the best car of the three with a different side pod design of the

  An insane season of Formula 1 came to an end today with the better driver not ending up as World Champion.  All eyes across the globe honed in to what was one of the most anticipated finals of a Formula 1 season that nobody, at the start of the year, would have ever even imagined. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, for 20 races, on equal points and the decider in Abu Dhabi would determine who the 2021 World Champion would be.  Before I continue, I know I try my utmost best to maintain an unbiased point of view when I recap races and the events that have unfolded in front of my eyes but today marks one exception which I apologize for.  A brilliant getaway off the line saw Hamilton immediately take the lead from Max who had qualified in first place after a smart bit of team work saw him gain the slip stream from his teammate the day before. From there the Briton was able to manage the pace and extend his lead out front showing the skill he had with medium tyres to pull away from both R

  12 months ago we witnessed history in the making when Pierre Gasly won his first-ever Grand Prix at the Temple of Speed. And on Sunday history was rewritten as McLaren achieved their first 1-2 after 11 long-awaited years.  Following an intense sprint qualifying that saw Lewis Hamilton lose 2 places to the McLaren duo of Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris, we knew that the world was in for an entertaining race which has seemed to be the case at Monza throughout history. With Max starting on provisional pole as Valtteri Bottas had to take grid penalties due to power unit changes, it meant that a lot of work would have to be done from the Silver Arrows to salvage as many points for the World Championship.  A flying start off the line by the Honey Badger meant that he took the lead of the race from Verstappen. Right behind him Lewis Hamilton also got away well and pipped Norris off the line. Heading into turn 4 he was up alongside the Dutchman who pushed him off the track which meant he h

  Pictures speak a thousand words. That could not be any more true than with this snapshot of Max Verstappen finishing the Dutch Grand Prix as a race winner at his home race.  We have seen passionate fans all around the globe; in Silverstone, in Brazil, even in China to a certain extent. But none surpass the level of support that I witnessed in the Dutch fans at Zandvoort. A perfect weekend from start to finish saw Max in dominant force as formula 1 made its return to the Netherlands.  A brilliant getaway from pole position saw Max into the lead which he kept for nearly the entire race as nobody besides Lewis Hamilton even came close to him. Fortunately for the Mercs they had 2 drivers in the top 3 whereas Sergio Perez, after a poor qualifying had to start from the pit lane. This meant that they could try and play around with their strategy so as to bring the flying Dutchman closer to the jaws of defeat. Unfortunately, even though Bottas put in a long stint to keep Max behind and drive

  It might as well have been Bernd Mayländer who won this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix after what was a rain-filled, miserable Sunday.  The grid failed to get away as the rain poured at Spa on Sunday. Aqua planing was the order for the day as every driver could not see anything ahead of them given the sheer amount of spray that spat up from the cars ahead. The safety car led every lap however it was the order in which the drivers had qualified which determined their final position at the end of the race.  This meant that Max Verstappen would win the race with none other than George Russell in second after what was a magnificent Q3 lap and Lewis Hamilton to round out the podium places.  Given that only 2 laps were completed (and that too behind the Safety Car), only half points were awarded to all the points finishers which now means that Max is 3 points behind Lewis in the driver's championship. The constructors would have seen a bigger swing had it not been for Sergio Perez cr

  If I were to tell you that it was not a Mercedes or a Red Bull that won the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix would you be surprised? Somewhat, yes. If I were to add that it was not McLaren or Ferrari would you be perplexed? Certainly. If I were to inform you that it was a maiden win for one of F1's rising stars would you be absolutely blown away? Let me tell you, I most definitely would be.  Following a somewhat entertaining qualifying session with claims of slow out laps and forcing the opposition out of the 'competition,' F1 graced us with a race that could very well be compared to the intensity and entertainment level as the British Grand Prix at Silverstone 2 weeks ago.  A starting grid that was more or less expected with Hamilton in pole from Bottas from Verstappen then Perez ended up after 70 laps with the one and only Esteban Ocon taking the top step of the podium with Sebastian Vettel claiming 2nd and Lewis Hamilton down in the final podium place. A shame for the Brit wh