Pole man Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, and Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes W12, arrive in Parc Ferme after Qualifying
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Formula 1 Analysis

How to measure the absolute performance of 2021 F1 cars

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The last season of the ‘widebody’ hybrid era was hotly contested all through the field, and the balance swung from track to track. PAT SYMONDS has been able to put numbers to it

The 2021 season will certainly be remembered for years to come, and one hopes the lasting memories will be of the competitive fights throughout the field rather than some of the more controversial aspects.

It is perhaps inevitable that a close battle will lead to more occasions when driving standards and even regulatory procedures become the focus of attention and, when the battle is close at the front, it is inescapable that polarised opinions will be formed. But let’s put that aside for a moment and examine how the teams performed over the course of the year, in terms of the absolute performance of their cars.

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