Review of the first round of the 2021 MotoGP season at Losail, Doha in Qatar for MotoGP's first night race of the season. And for the season ahead, all MotoGP classes are reviewed (MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3 and MotoE).
In the MotoGP race (V-twin, V4, or Inline-four 1000cc four stroke class), that race was won by Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP rider Maverick Viñales on his works Yamaha YZR-M1.
Second was Pramac Racing rider Johann Zarco on his works Ducati Desmosedici GP21, he was only ten tenths of a second behind Viñales at the end. While, third was Ducati Lenovo Team rider Francesco Bagnaia on his works Ducati Desmosedici GP21, he was eleven tenths of a second behind Viñales at the end of the race.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-three four-stroke class), that race was won by Elf Marc VDS Racing Team rider Sam Lowes on the Kalex. Second was Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Remy Gardner on the Kalex, he was two seconds behind Lowes at the end of the race. While, third was Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio on the Kalex, he was five seconds behind Lowes at the end of the race.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Jaume Masiá on the KTM. Second was Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Pedro Acosta on the KTM, he was four hundredths of a second behind Masiá at the end of the race. While, third was Petronas Sprinta Racing rider Darryn Binder on the Honda, he was a tenth of a second behind Masiá at the end of the race.
Review of the first round of the 2021 F1 season at Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Overall the race itself was a great race to watch to start the season. Max Verstappen was on pole for Sunday's race, Verstappen took the lead ahead of Sir Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton pitted early for fresh hard tyres on lap 13, while Verstappen for fresh mediums on lap 17 to give Hamilton the lead. Hamilton pitted for fresh hard tyres on lap 28 to give Verstappen the lead again, Verstappen pitted for fresh hard tyres on lap 39 giving Hamilton the lead again. Verstappen did catch up to Hamilton at the end of the race, he could not overtake him for love or money to give Current Formula 1 World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton his first race win of the season to win this seasons Bahrain Grand Prix.
While, Max Verstappen finished in second place in the Red Bull, Verstappen was seven tenths of a second behind Hamilton at the end.
Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas finished in third place in the other Mercedes to complete the podium, Bottas was thirty-seven seconds behind Hamilton at the end of the fifty-six lap race.
Highlights of the race below, enjoy.
Rate the Teams and Drivers
Mercedes - 8
Lewis Hamilton - 9 (race win)
Valtteri Bottas - 8 (finished third, fastest lap)
Red Bull Racing - 9
Max Verstappen - 9 (pole, finished second)
Sergio Pérez - 9 (finished fifth)
McLaren - 7
Daniel Ricciardo - 6 (finished seventh)
Lando Norris - 9 (finished fourth)
Aston Martin - 4
Sebastian Vettel - 3 (finished fifteenth, lap down)
Lance Stroll - 6 (finished tenth)
Alpine - 5
Fernando Alonso - 6 (DNF, Brakes)
Esteban Ocon - 5 (finished thirteenth, lap down)
Ferrari - 7
Charles Leclerc - 9 (finished sixth)
Carlos Sainz Jr. - 6 (finished eighth)
AlphaTauri - 7
Pierre Gasly - 6 (DNF, Collision damage with Ricciardo)
Yuki Tsunoda - 9 (finished ninth)
Alfa Romeo - 6
Kimi Räikkönen - 7 (finished eleventh)
Antonio Giovinazzi - 6 (finished twelfth, lap down)
Haas - 4
Mick Schumacher - 6 (finished sixteenth, lap down)
Nikita Mazepin - 2 (DNF, Crashed out)
Williams - 5
George Russell - 6 (finished fourteenth, lap down)
Nicholas Latifi - 5 (DNF, Turbocharger)
Next stop Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, at Imola for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in three weeks time.
Yuki Tsunoda will make his Grand Prix debut at this weekend Bahrain Grand Prix, making him the twenty-first Japanese driver to race in Formula 1. Which means this post is Top Seven Japanese F1 drivers.
Rules are simple for this list, they must raced more than two full seasons in F1 and scored points. Starting with number seven:
Number 7: Shinji Nakano
Story: Nakano came into Formula 1 after finishing sixth place the Formula Nippon Championship (Super Formula in 2021) in 1996.
Nakano started his F1 career at Prost in 1997, scoring two points, best result of two sixth place finishes. In 1998, Katayama moved to Nakano to finish his Formula 1 career.
After Formula 1, Nakano, did a few seasons in CART (IndyCar Series in 2021) and raced at Le Mans a few more times.
Overall, Shinji Nakano scored two points and best finish of eighteenth place in the drivers' standings in 1997.
Number 6: Ukyo Katayama
Story: Katayama came into Formula 1 after winning the Japanese Formula 3000 Championship (Super Formula in 2021) in 1991.
Katayama started his F1 career at Larrousse in 1992. After a season Katayama moved to Tyrrell and stayed there for four seasons, with a best season in 1994 scoring five points, best result of two fifth place finishes. In 1997, Katayama moved to Minardi to end his Formula 1 career.
After Formula 1, Katayama did a few seasons in JGTC (Super GT in 2021) and raced at Le Mans a few more times with a best result of second place in 1999 for Toyota alongside Keiichi Tsuchiya and Toshio Suzuki.
Overall, Ukyo Katayama scored five points and best finish of seventeenth place in the drivers' standings in 1994.
Number 5: Kazuki Nakajima
Story: Son of former Team Lotus driver Satoru Nakajima, came into Formula 1 after finishing fifth place the GP2 Series (Formula 2 in 2021) in 2007.
Nakajima started his F1 career at Williams in 2007, for the final round of the season. Stayed at Williams for 2008 and 2009 scoring nine points in his first full season, best result of sixth place at Melbourne.
After Formula 1, Nakajima raced in Super GT, Formula Nippon/Super Formula which include winning two titles in 2012 and 2014. Also, Nakajima raced in FIA WEC with Toyota winning 2018-19 WEC Championship alongside Fernando Alonso and Sébastien Buemi. Also, winning three 24 Hour of Le Mans races in 2018 alongside with Fernando Alonso and Sébastien Buemi, 2019 alongside with Fernando Alonso and Sébastien Buemi, and 2020 alongside with Brendon Hartley and Sébastien Buemi.
Overall, Kazuki Nakajima scored nine points and best finish of fifteenth place in the drivers' standings in 2008.
Number 4: Satoru Nakajima
Story: Nakajima came into Formula 1 after winning the Japanese Formula 3000 Championship five out of six times during 1981 till 1986.
Nakajima started his F1 career at Team Lotus in 1987, scoring seven points in his first season, best results of two fourth place finishes. In 1990, Nakajima moved to Tyrrell for two more seasons to finish his Formula 1 career.
After Formula 1, Nakajima build his own team called Nakajima Racing focusing on Super Formula and Super GT Championships in Japan and winning multiple championships in Super Formula.
Overall, Satoru Nakajima scored sixteen points and best finish of twelfth place in the drivers' standings in 1988.
Number 3: Aguri Suzuki
Story: Suzuki came into Formula 1 after winning the Japanese Formula 3000 Championship in 1988.
Suzuki started his F1 career at Larrousse in late 1988 at Suzuka. Moving to Zakspeed in 1989. Returning back to Larrousse for 1990 for his best season scoring six points, best result of a third place finish at his home Grand Prix at Suzuka. Suzuki stayed with Larrousse for another season. Then in 1992, Suzuki moved to Footwork (Arrows) for two seasons. Suzuki made one Grand Prix appearance in 1994 at Jordan replacing the banned Eddie Irvine at Aida. Then in 1995, moving to Ligier doing a handful of Grand Prix to end his Formula 1 career.
After Formula 1, Suzuki did a few seasons in JGTC and raced at Le Mans a few more times with a best result of third place in 1998 for Nissan alongside Kazuyoshi Hoshino and Masahiko Kageyama. In 2000, Suzuki build his own team called ARTA focusing on Super Formula and Super GT Championships in Japan and winning multiple championships in Super GT. In 2006, Suzuki enter his own F1 Team into Formula 1 with the assistance of Honda called Super Aguri, which stayed in the sport for two and half seasons. In 2014, Suzuki enter the Formula E championship with his own team called Team Aguri for two season selling the team in 2016 renamed as Techeetah.
Overall, Aguri Suzuki scored eight points and best finish of twelfth place in the drivers' standings in 1990.
Number 2: Kamui Kobayashi
Story: Kobayashi came into Formula 1 after finishing sixteenth place the GP2 Series in 2009.
Kobayashi started his F1 career at Toyota in late 2009 after Timo Glock got injured at Suzuka, Kobayashi scored points in his second Grand Prix at Abu Dhabi finishing sixth place. When Toyota withdrew from Formula at the end of 2009, Kobayashi moved to Sauber in 2010 for three seasons with the best season in 2012 scoring sixty points, best result of a third place finish at his home Grand Prix at Suzuka. After a season away from F1, Kobayashi return to Caterham in 2014 to finish his Formula 1 career.
After Formula 1, Kobayashi raced in Super Formula, raced in WEC with Toyota which include multiple second place finishes at Le Mans and winning 2019-20 WEC Championship alongside Mike Conway and José María López. Also, winning 2018 and 2019 Daytona 24 Hour race with Cadillac alongside Renger van der Zande, Jordan Taylor and Fernando Alonso in 2018; and alongside Renger van der Zande, Ryan Briscoe and Scott Dixon in 2019.
Overall, Kamui Kobayashi scored one hundred and twenty-five points and best finish of twelfth place in the drivers' standings in 2012.
Number 1: Takuma Sato
Story: Sato came into Formula 1 after winning the British Formula 3 Championship in 2001 (now discontinued in 2021).
Sato started his F1 career at Jordan in 2002. For 2003 Sato went to BAR Honda as a test-driver for the exemption of the last round of the season replacing Jacques Villeneuve for the Japanese Grand Prix. In 2004 Sato got the drive full-time with the best season in 2004 scoring thirty-four points, best result of a third place finish at the United States Grand Prix. Sato moved to new Super Aguri team in 2006 for two and half seasons to finish his Formula 1 career.
After Formula 1, Sato raced in Super Formula for a few seasons and moved to IndyCar Series in 2010 which includes winning the Indianapolis 500 twice in 2017 and 2020.
Overall, Takuma Sato scored forty-four points and best finish of eighth place in the drivers' standings in 2004.
Hopefully, Yuki Tsunoda will join the list in a few years time.
Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir.
So Predictions for the race, for the win I predict Max Verstappen for the race win in the Red Bull, Sergio Pérez second in the other Red Bull, and third place for Sir Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes. Don't forget Valtteri Bottas, the McLaren drivers, the Aston Martin drivers, the Alpine drivers, the Ferrari drivers, and Pierre Gasly as-well for a podium place.
Today post is a 2021 F1 preview, all the teams and drivers. Also, predicting this seasons Drivers' and Constructors' Championships ahead for 2021. Starting of with last seasons Constructors' Champions Mercedes:
Mercedes: the team to beat for the Drivers' and Constructors' Championship this year. F1 W12 looks fast and reliable in testing. Sir Lewis Hamilton looks to retain his title. While, Valtteri Bottas retains for another season.
Red Bull: Out goes Alexander Albon in comes Sergio Pérez alongside Max Verstappen for another season. RB16B looks fast in testing (fastest in testing), better car, better power units in testing so far. Challenging for both championships is a must for Red Bull.
McLaren: Renault power-units are out, Mercedes power-units are in. Out goes Carlos Sainz, Jr in comes Daniel Ricciardo alongside Lando Norris for another season. McL35M looks fast in testing. McLaren could be a contender for wins this season, third in the Constructors' standings once again might be the realistic target for McLaren this season.
Aston Martin: Out goes the Racing Point name, in comes Aston Martin. Out goes Sergio Pérez in comes Sebastian Vettel alongside Lance Stroll for another season. AMR21 looks fast in testing, third in the Constructors' standings might be the realistic target for Aston Martin this season.
Alpine: Out goes the Renault name, in comes Alpha Tauri. Out goes Daniel Ricciardo in comes Fernando Alonso after two seasons away alongside Esteban Ocon for another season. A521 look fast in testing. A few podiums may happen again this season and fourth in the Constructors' standings might be the realistic target for Alpine this season.
Ferrari: Out goes Sebastian Vettel in comes Carlos Sainz, Jr alongside Charles Leclerc for another season. SF21 looks much faster than last seasons car SF1000 which includes improvement to the Power-Unit, fourth in the Constructors' standings might be the realistic target for Ferrari this season.
AlphaTauri: Out goes Daniil Kvyat in comes Yuki Tsunoda alongside Pierre Gasly for another season. AT02 look fast in testing. A few podiums may happen this season and fifth in the Constructors' standings might be the realistic target for AlphaTauri this season.
Alfa Romeo: Antonio Giovinazzi and Kimi Raikkonen are retain for another season. Eighth in the Constructors' standings might be the realistic target for Alfa Romeo this season.
Haas: Out goes both Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean, in comes Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin. VF-21 is basically the VF-20 underneath, the car will not be developed this season, the team will focus on the 2022 car, getting points early will be vital and not finishing last in the constructors' standings must be their target this season at Haas.
Williams: George Russell and Nicholas Latifi are retain for another season. FW43B looks much faster than last seasons car FW43, eighth in the Constructors' standings might be the realistic target for Williams this season.
So predictions time, who's going to win the World Drivers' Championship this season for 2021? My prediction is Max Verstappen to take his first World Drivers' Championships this season because of performance and reliability in testing. The improvements from both Red Bull and Honda might be enough for Verstappen to win this seasons title.
But, if Verstappen doesn't step up Lewis Hamilton could take his eighth World Drivers' Title if things goes his way. Don't count out either Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez will also challenge for this years title as-well. Don't even count out both McLaren drivers too will go into this season as the dark horses for this season title if both Mercedes and Red Bull drivers' struggle. It will be another close drivers' championship once again this year in my opinion, as it might go down to the wire.
My top three prediction for the Drivers' Championship are:
1st Max Verstappen
2nd Lewis Hamilton
3rd Sergio Pérez
Constructors' Championship: I will predict that Red Bull will win the constructors championships. And don't forget Mercedes and McLaren, they will be certainly be challenging the constructors championship as-well.
My top three prediction for the Constructors' Championship are:
1st Red Bull
2nd Mercedes
3rd McLaren
Predictions for this weekends Bahrain Grand Prix in the next post, for now, Bye.
As the title says a Sebring 12 Hours Review of the race at Sebring International Raceway.
JDC-Mustang Sampling Racing team won the race overall and Daytona Prototype international class too of Sébastien Bourdais, Loïc Duval and Tristan Vautier in their Cadillac DPi-V.R, Cadillac 5.5 L V8.
While, Mazda Motorsports team finished in second place in their Mazda RT24-P, Mazda MZ-2.0T 2.0 L Turbo I4; the team of Jonathan Bomarito, Oliver Jarvis and Harry Tincknell; they were a second and a half behind the leaders. Meanwhile, Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian team finished in third place in their Acura ARX-05, Acura AR35TT 3.5 L Turbo V6; the team of Dane Cameron, Juan Pablo Montoya and Olivier Pla; they were two and half seconds behind the leaders.
In LMP2 class (all cars using the Gibson 4.2 L V8 engine), PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports team of Scott Huffaker, Mikkel Jensen and Ben Keating in their Oreca 07 won LMP2 class. They finish in sixth place overall and they were five laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In GT Le Mans Class, WeatherTech Racing team won GT Le Mans Class and finished in eighth place overall in their Porsche 911 RSR-19; with the drivers of Matt Campbell, Mathieu Jaminet and Cooper MacNeil; they were fifteen laps behind the leaders.
In LMP3 class (all cars using the Nissan 5.6 L V8 engine), CORE Autosport team of Jon Bennett, Colin Braun and George Kurtz in their Ligier JS P320 won LMP3 class. They finish in thirteenth place overall and they were twenty laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In GT Daytona Class, Pfaff Motorsports team won GT Daytona Class and finished in eighteenth place overall in their Porsche 911 GT3 R; with the drivers of Lars Kern, Zacharie Robichon and Laurens Vanthoor; they were twenty-nine laps behind the leaders.
Sabine Schmitz, who became the first and only female to win the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, has passed away at the age of 51 on Tuesday (16/3/21) following a battle with cancer. Condolences goes out to the family and friends of Sabine Schmitz.
She became known as the "Queen of the Nurburgring" and estimated she had driven around the Nordschleife more than 20,000 times.
Schmitz became the first and only female driver to take overall victory in 1996 in a BMW M3 alongside Johannes Scheid and Hans Widmann.
She would repeat the victory a year later, in a BMW M3 once more, this time alongside Johannes Scheid, Hans-Jürgen Tiemann and Peter Zakowski.
Schmitz later gained acclaim for an appearance on Top Gear in 2004 in which she drove a Jaguar S-Type diesel around the Nordschleife in 9 minutes and 12 seconds (embarrassing Jeremy Clarkson time of 10 minutes). Then in 2005 driving a Transit van around the track Nordschleife over 10 minutes (scaring Richard Hammond in the process), and subsequently became a presenter on the show in 2016.
Schmitz was diagnosed with cancer in 2017, which forced her to step away from racing.
She possibly one the top three female drivers in motorsport history alongside the likes of Michèle Mouton and Danica Patrick.
