After a three-week summer break, the 2021 F1 season returns at the Belgian GP. While the drivers drive to the legendary Spa-Francorchamps from this Friday, they will take part in the traditional media day tomorrow.
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This morning the driver pairings for the pre-race press conferences were published. While fans can look forward to some of the 10 pairings, neither team will have their drivers judged together in front of the media.
Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc highlight the press conferences at the Belgian GP
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Championship candidate Max Verstappen will speak to the media with his 23-year-old Charles Leclerc. Both drivers will try to carry the respective challenges of their teams into the second half of the season from this weekend.
Formula 1 F1 – Monaco Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco – May 22, 2021 Red Bulls Max Verstappen and Ferraris Charles Leclerc after the qualifying pool via REUTERS / Sebastien Nogier
Before approaching the media, three more pairings are shown. Antonio Giovinazzi will speak to Esteban Ocon, the newest Formula 1 race winner. After a brilliant end to the first half of the season, Ocon will strive to continue its new form. Sebastian Vettel and Nikita Mazepin form the next driver pairing, followed by Lando Norris and Nicholas Latifi.
Valtteri Bottas will speak to George Russell in front of the media
Although the summer break is over, Mercedes has not made a decision on the second seat. While Valtteri Bottas continues to compete, George Russell appears to be his greatest threat to the 2022 seat. Both drivers will start tomorrow as the first driver pairing at the pre-race press conference.
They are followed by the pairing Pierre Gasly and Mick Schumacher. While the former wants to secure his future for the next season, the latter has a contract with Haas for the next season. However, many continue to associate him with racing for Alfa Romeo next season.
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At the next pairing, the oldest driver Kimi Raikkonen speaks to the media with Lance Stroll. While Lewis Hamilton spoke to Verstappen in front of the media at the French GP, this time he will do so with his teammate Sergio Perez. Given the intensity of the battle between Red Bull and Mercedes, expect this pairing to receive several questions tomorrow.
Fernando Alonso will address the media with Yuki Tsunoda, in another combination that shows a generation gap. The media day in Spa ends with the driver pairing of the former McLaren driver Carlos Sainz with his successor Daniel Ricciardo.
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The driver press conference at the Belgian Grand Prix starts tomorrow at 12.30 p.m. local time and 10:30 a.m. GMT.
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