In Focus

F1 2021 season guide: race calendar, drivers, new car launches

Everything you need to know about the upcoming Formula 1 campaign

16 Feb 2021

Lewis Hamilton is a seven-time Formula 1 world champion

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Formula 1’s 2021 driver grid is now confirmed after it was announced that Lewis Hamilton has agreed a new one-year deal with Mercedes.

In pictures: introducing the McLaren MCL35M

British driver Hamilton, the seven-time F1 world champion, will be partnered by Valtteri Bottas as the Silver Arrows aim for another title double in the coming season.

“I am excited to be heading into my ninth season with my Mercedes teammates,” said Hamilton. “Our team has achieved incredible things together and we look forward to building on our success even further, while continuously looking to improve, both on and off the track.”

As well as continuing their relationship on the track, Mercedes and Hamilton will also form a joint charitable foundation off it. The foundation will have the mission of supporting greater diversity and inclusion in all its forms in motorsport.

“I’m equally determined to continue the journey we started to make motorsport more diverse for future generations and I am grateful that Mercedes has been extremely supportive of my call to address this issue,” Hamilton added.

“I’m proud to say we are taking that effort further this year by launching a foundation dedicated to diversity and inclusion in the sport. I am inspired by all that we can build together and can’t wait to get back on the track in March.”

F1 2021 teams and driver grid

Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton (No.44) and Valtteri Bottas (No.77)
Red Bull: Max Verstappen (No.33) and Sergio Perez (No.11)
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc (No.16) and Carlos Sainz (No.55)
Aston Martin (formerly Racing Point): Sebastian Vettel (No.5) and Lance Stroll (No.18)
McLaren: Lando Norris (No.4) and Daniel Ricciardo (No.3)
Alpine (formerly Renault): Fernando Alonso (No.14) and Esteban Ocon (No.31)
AlphaTauri: Yuki Tsunoda (No.22) and Pierre Gasly (No.10)
Alfa Romeo: Kimi Raikkonen (No.7) and Antonio Giovinazzi (No.99)
Haas: Mick Schumacher (No.47) and Nikita Mazepin (No.9)
Williams: Nicholas Latifi (No.6) and George Russell (No.63)

mclaren.com

F1 2021 car launch dates

Ahead of pre-season testing in Bahrain from 12-14 March, teams will launch their new cars for the 2021 campaign. Here are the launch dates confirmed so far:

15 February: McLaren MCL35M
19 February: AlphaTauri
22 February: Alfa Romeo
2 March: Mercedes
5 March: Williams
To be confirmed: Aston Martin, Alpine, Ferrari, Haas, Red Bull

The 2021 season will start in Bahrain

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F1 2021 race calendar

The provisional calendar for the 2021 Formula 1 season has been updated and it’s in Bahrain where the drivers will get to race for the first time this year.

Sakhir will host the Bahrain Grand Prix on 28 March, with the season opener taking place a week later than originally scheduled. The Australian Grand Prix has now moved to a new date in November.

Imola returns to the calendar with the second race on 18 April, but due to travel restrictions no date has been confirmed for the Chinese Grand Prix as yet. Silverstone will host the British Grand Prix on 18 July and Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi will host the season finale on 12 December.

F1 says revisions to the 2021 calendar are subject to World Motor Sport Council approval.