Bahrain Grand Prix: drivers presentation and editorial predictions

The 2021 single-seaters

No change there, the drivers will all have at their disposal the same machine developing 620 horsepower with a total weight of 755 kg (including the driver) and a top speed of 355 km/h. Pirelli remains the sole supplier and will fit the single-seaters with 18-inch tires, which will arrive in Formula 1 next year.

Who will succeed Mick Schumacher?

The rule is simple, the F2 champion cannot participate in the same championship the following year. Mick Schumacher, winner in 2020, has therefore joined the Haas team in Formula 1. He leaves the field open to many drivers eager to prove themselves and also climb up to the top category.

The title contenders

Robert Shwartzman: The Russian is seen as THE big favorite of this 2021 season. Teammate of Mick Schumacher last year, he had shown the extent of his talent by winning four races in 2020. He will still be driving for the Prema team this year, a team known for sending its drivers to F1.

Christian Lundgaard had made a remarkable debut in 2019 during the last race in Abu Dhabi, and had started the 2020 season in the best possible way. While he fought for the title for a while, he was unable to show consistency afterwards. The Danish driver will be a strong contender for the 2021 championship title.

Guanyu Zhou: The Chinese driver and member of the Alpine Academy begins his third season in F2. While he is capable of brilliant performances, he lacks consistency. Winning the title at the wheel of his Uni-Virtuosi is almost an obligation for him if he wants to see his career progress towards F1.

Marcus Armstrong: after a difficult first season in F2, the New Zealander, vice champion in F3 in 2019, will have to bounce back and perform at the wheel of his Dams car. If the transition from F3 to F2 was difficult for this 20-year-old driver, the 2021 season will be crucial for the rest of his career. Indeed, he is one of the two drivers engaged in F2 by the Ferrari Driver Academy along with Robert Shwartzman, and as we know, seats in F1 are rare.

Dan Ticktum: English driver of the Carlin team who had a rather complicated first year at Dams, the fiery 21-year-old driver will have to raise his driving level behind the wheel of a competitive single-seater.

The Rookies to watch

Oscar Piastri: reigning F3 champion and closely followed by our French driver Théo Pourchaire, the Australian driver is joining a Top Team. He will be driving for the Prema team, one of the best on the grid. Expect to see him at the front, as he is determined to challenge his teammate and title contender Robert Shwartzman.

Théo Pourchaire: The 17-year-old French driver has managed to stand out by smoothly climbing the ranks towards F2. Runner-up in F3, fast and intelligent on track, the young protege of the French team ART Grand Prix will have a tough job with Christian Lundgaard as his teammate. While he will be keen to adapt to driving a Formula 2 car, we know that he will quickly want to join the battle among the top drivers in this F2 grid.

The editor’s forecast

Robert Shwartzman will have all the tools to fight for the title, the experience of a good season in F2 alongside Mick Schumacher, the confidence of a top team and the Ferrari Driver Academy, and finally four race wins last year. The Russian will be the favorite for this 2021 season. The only thorn in his side? Oscar Piastri, a teammate with sharp teeth and remarkably fast in races.

Théo Pourchaire on a podium, even though he is a rookie in Formula 2, the Frenchman has already impressed with his speed of adaptation in the lower formulas! Fast in races and in qualifying, the new weekend format and its reversed grids will surely allow him to step onto the podium in his first season.

The Formula 2 2021 grid

* (R) = Rookie