2020 has been a strange year for sport in general and Formula One has not been immune to the threat the COVID-19 has posed to the world, as many scheduled races were cancelled due to such an overwhelming health risk.
Thankfully, the show did at least go on and although it had a different look and feel than usual, credit must go to Ross Brawn and his colleagues, as they managed to stage another edition of the Formula One World Championship.
A championship that perhaps unsurprisingly was won by Lewis Hamilton and with the British driver yet to put pen to paper on a new deal for 2021 and beyond, there are question marks over his long-term future at Mercedes.
Question marks that only continue for each day that Hamilton does not ink a new contract and although the most likely outcome sees him eventually do such a thing, it does not stop the rest of the paddock from gossiping.
Especially for those who like to keep a keen eye on the driver transfer market and with most seats already locked in for next year, a shock departure from the Stevenage born star would send the grid into a state of flux.
However, if Hamilton and team boss Toto Wolff continue their symbiotic partnership for at least a couple more years, there is every reason to suggest that an eighth championship crown will eventually be delivered.
While if that was to be the case, the former McLaren pilot will have then surpassed the legendary Michael Schumacher in terms of titles and if so, then any argument about who is the best of all-time, will finally come to an end.
Should another championship charge get underway in 2021, then the first stop on next year’s global circus is in Melbourne, Australia and after missing out on the ability to host a Grand Prix this year, they will be looking to stage one hell of a party.
A party that if Hamilton is in a Mercedes, is one that he most likely wins and because of this, he is many punters favourite to succeed at Albert Park, a feeling that is being reflected in their Formula One picks for the start of next season.
With no confirmation regarding the Brit’s participation, there are no available odds just yet – if only because bets may have to be returned due to a retirement from the sport and therefore, we can only surmise at present.
Although the obvious prediction is with the Mercedes kingpin, it might be more interesting to ask what if? What if, the grid has an obvious void to fill and if so, who will then become the heir apparent.
For many, the answer is Max Verstappen and although he has bloodied the nose of the Mercedes team on numerous occasions, he is yet to take the top spot on the end of the year championship podium.
The Dutchman is undoubtedly Red Bull’s number one driver and if he is to be successful with the energy drink backed team, one wonders if 2021 might be the final opportunity that is afforded to him.
With Honda deciding not to supply Red Bull with any engines past 2021, it means one final shot at glory and with a partnership with Renault looking set to follow, questions over their capabilities are already being asked.
If only because, linking up with Renault is being viewed as a rather retrograde step and when you consider that the two entities have been strange bedfellows in the past, it does seem like a marriage of convenience rather than desire.
Then again, even with Honda power, there is little to suggest that Verstappen can disrupt the status quo in 2021 and if anyone is best placed to win a championship in a new era for the sport, then it is fellow Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas.
With the Finn also in what can be considered the best car on the grid, it stands to reason that he would be most likely to fill any power vacuum that is created and all that means is that although Lewis Hamilton may call time on his career, the end result is eventually the same for Mercedes.
Leave a Reply