In an interview via email with the Bangkok Post, FOX Sports presenter Paula Malai Ali gives her view on the 2021 Formula One season which begins in Bahrain on March 28.
Will it be a two-horse race between Mercedes and Red Bull, and Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen?
It seems to be that way! Testing suggests Red Bull have the upper hand but Mercedes always have the ability to adapt and do what needs to be done. I personally would like [Mercedes driver Valtteri] Bottas to push [his teammate] Hamilton and make his life a little harder purely for "the show." And also, we can't ignore McLaren who have brought some very innovative parts as we saw over the truncated three days in Bahrain's testing ahead of its season opening. But the cards seem nicely stacked for Max to bring that Red Bull and their A game. It looks like it may be a more challenging year for Mercedes to retain their crown after a seven-year dominance and demolition!
With a new teammate and new car, is it time for Verstappen to win the title?
Simple answer -- Yes. Absolutely! Checo [new Red Bull driver Sergio Perez] is not a driver who merely makes up the numbers so it will further spur the Dutchman [Verstappen] to raise his bar.
Not that he needs any other encouragement than his own insatiable desire to claim a maiden championship.
Will returning Fernando Alonso be able to make his presence felt?
Most definitely. Alonso looked sharp and fresh during testing. All he knows is how to drive his heart out. Will Alpine be the machine to give him the results and allow him to come back as a superhero? That is a mystery but ultimately we can't write off a few podiums. Hopefully. We saw [McLaren driver Daniel] Ricciardio with some impressive weekends in the then Renault. Alonso is a double world champion returning to the team that gave him both. Let's see how this new era with his long lost friend will pan out.
Will Mick Schumacher have a good debut season?
Not in the Haas. Unfortunately. The team are vocal about them focusing on 2022. This year will be the 'breaking in' year for the all rookie line-up. I foresee this as a year for both Schumacher and [Nikita] Mazepin to settle teething problems and initialing themselves into the upper tier of motor racing and perhaps next year will yield the points and who knows what else. Nonetheless it's great to have the name MSC back on the grid.
Is Yuki Tsunoda really good?
Time will tell. The AlphaTauri driver seems composed and has been impressive on his maiden testing. For someone with only two odd years of single seater racing, the Japanese seems to have the right touch. He doesn't seem fazed or intimidated and if Helmut Marko/Franz Tost endorse him... and Tsunoda is well aware of the consequences should he not deliver.
Catch live and exclusive coverage of 2021 F1 season starting from March 26 on FOX Sports (True Visions 183 and 680, and AIS Playbox 300).