Is the 2021 Formula 1 grid the best line-up this century?

The 2021 Formula 1 field is one of the most exciting in the sport’s history. There is a bundle of talent across the grid with world champions, race winners or rising stars featuring in each team.

Four world champions head the entry list – Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen and the returning Fernando Alonso. They have 14 world titles between them and all look to lead their respective teams to success this year.

Hamilton is the most successful F1 driver of all-time with the seven-time world champion holding the record for the most pole positions (98) and most wins (95) in the sport. He is favourite to enter a league of his own by winning an eight world title and is on course to become the first driver to score more than 100 pole positions and victories.

Vettel and Alonso are set to restart their rivalry after it began in 2010. With both drivers at new teams, Vettel at Aston Martin and Alonso at Alpine, the battle will be on between the champions.

Charles Leclerc and Daniel Ricciardo should be in the midfield mix too, leading the way for Ferrari and McLaren. Leclerc has arguably become the best driver over one lap whilst Ricciardo is desperate to consistently fight with the best names in the sport.

Red Bull go into the season with a very strong line-up. Max Verstappen is one of the most talented drivers the sport has seen and will be entering his seventh season in F1. He is desperate to fight for the title and be the driver to end Mercedes’ and Hamilton’s dominance.

Verstappen will need help from new teammate Sergio Perez. The Mexican won his maiden Formula 1 race last year and is hoping to battle at the front and help Red Bull to more silverware in 2021.

Two drivers who need a big year are Valtteri Bottas and Esteban Ocon. Bottas is yet to mount a sustained challenge to teammate Hamilton and is under pressure to deliver. He has the speed, Bottas just needs to execute consistently.

Ocon may have a tough time up against the returning Alonso at Alpine. The former GP3 champion improved towards the end of last season and is looking to make a mark on the midfield with the speed and tenacity he showed at Force India in 2017 and 2018.

AlphaTauri have an exciting pairing in Monza race-winner Pierre Gasly and last year’s F2 star Yuki Tsunoda. Gasly proved his worth to everyone with a remarkable 2020 campaign but is under some pressure to beat his Japanese rookie teammate.

Tsunoda has the potential to be one of F1’s next superstars with his raw speed and ability to learn quickly or adapt to a new environment. Don’t be surprised to see something special from the first F1 driver to be born in the 2000s.

George Russell will be hoping to fight with Tsunoda as well as the other midfield runners. We all know how good Russell is after his sensational performance at the Sakhir Grand Prix with Mercedes. He is yet to score a point with Williams though but will be looking to turn that around in 2021 as well as secure a contract to drive with Mercedes in 2022. Nicholas Latifi is looking for improvement to be closer to the pace of Russell.

Lance Stroll and Antonio Giovinazzi have a point to prove against their world champion teammates. Giovinazzi in particular needs to impress because there is a whole stable of youngsters who could take his seat if he does not deliver.

An all-rookie pairing at Haas means the team don’t have major expectations this year. But Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin could spring a surprise especially if they replicate some of their drives from Formula 2.

It’s a stunning 2021 Formula 1 line-up, can you think of a better grid from the last 20 years?