After a year in which the COVID-19 pandemic shut down Formula 1 racing for months, the 2021 calendar is set with an unprecedented 23 races. The biggest story lines going into this season involve whether Ferrari will be able to return to its typical status as one of the top three constructors, now that Sebastian Vettel has left the team, leaving Charles Leclerc as the apparent alpha on the top Ferrari squad. Mercedes remains the top dog as far as the constructors go, but Red Bull is ready to make a challenge in 2021.
We have the full slate of races for 2021 for you, along with some thoughts about how the season will turn out, in case you plan to include F1 futures in your sports betting.
Formula 1 News: Top Races on the 2021 Calendar
2021 F1 Calendar
| Test 1 | March 12-14 | Bahrain |
| Race 1 | March 28 | Bahrain (Sakhir) |
| Race 2 | April 18 | Italy (Imola) |
| Race 3 | May 2 | TBA |
| Race 4 | May 9 | Spain (Barcelona) |
| Race 5 | May 23 | Monaco (Monte Carlo) |
| Race 6 | June 6 | Azerbaijan (Baku) |
| Race 7 | June 13 | Canada (Montreal) |
| Race 8 | June 27 | France (Le Castellet) |
| Race 9 | July 4 | Austria (Spielberg) |
| Race 10 | July 18 | Great Britain (Silverstone) |
| Race 11 | August 1 | Hungary (Budapest) |
| Race 12 | August 29 | Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps) |
| Race 13 | September 5 | Netherlands (Zandvoort) |
| Race 14 | September 12 | Italy (Monza) |
| Race 15 | September 26 | Russia (Sochi) |
| Race 16 | October 3 | Singapore |
| Race 17 | October 10 | Japan (Suzuka) |
| Race 18 | October 24 | United States (Austin) |
| Race 19 | October 31 | Mexico (Mexico City) |
| Race 20 | November 7 | Brazil (Sao Paulo) |
| Race 21 | November 21 | Australia (Melbourne) |
| Race 22 | December 5 | Saudi Arabia (Jeddah) |
| Race 23 | December 12 | Abu Dhabi (Yas Island) |
Some of the highlights include the Dutch Grand Prix, which returns to the slate at Zandvoort. Also, December 5 will feature the first Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, set to be a night race on the Jedda Street Circuit.
Can Red Bull pull off a constructors’ championship win this year? They last won in 2013, but in the years since then, they have started off each season with a car that they did not yet understand. However, this year will be different as the team starts more in a position of certainty as far as their machinery. In the 2020 finale, Red Bull won at Abu Dhabi, which is usually a place where Mercedes runs away with things. That could point toward a stronger 2021, as they developed over the season well, and their RB16B has its direction defined. Max Verstappen put together a strong second half of 2020, and with Sergio Perez coming on board, that could add consistency to the second top car.
Renault, now known as Alpine, could vault into the top three of the constructors’ championship, with Ferrari continuing to stumble. Fernando Alonso, a two-time champion, will add some heft to their lineup. He may take some time to shake off the rust from his time away from active racing, but his feedback and experience will help guide Estabon Ocon, who is growing into his own as the other top driver.
McLaren could be another midfield team that takes advantage of opportunities at the top. Carlos Sainz was a whisker away from a race win at Monza, and that would have been the first win in a Grand Prix by a McLaren driver since 2012, when they won the Brazilian Grand Prix to close out the season. They came in third last year in the constructors’ championship, ahead not just of Ferrari but also midfield teams with more resources, such as Racing Point (now Aston Martin) and the newly christened Alpine. They have their power units coming from Mercedes in 2021, currently the best in the class. Daniel Ricciardo comes over to join Lando Norris, who showed maturity and development last year.
Sebastian Vettel will find redemption this year as well. He left Ferrari and will now join Aston Martin as their clear leader. Their car was podium-worthy in 2020, and now adding a top-shelf driver to mentor Lance Stroll, the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll. How far can he take Aston Martin up the constructor’s standings?
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