The Deja vu moment that reveals Bottas' true Hamilton deficit
Valtteri Bottas made a winning start to the 2020 Formula 1 season, but he now trails Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton by five points in the standings. This follows a race in Hungary that again exposed a troubling blow to Bottas's title hopes
Valtteri Bottas departed the Hungaroring having conceded the lead of the Formula 1 world championship to Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton. Seeing a 13-point advantage turn into a five-point deficit in the space of two races does not inspire confidence that this, finally, could be the season Bottas finally comes good and topples Hamilton from atop his perch.
But Bottas himself remains resolutely determined, and upbeat - in the manner you might expect of an elite athlete who must maintain self-belief even in the face of that self-confidence being regularly and exactingly tested by the feats of wonder performed by someone else with exactly the same machinery at their disposal.
How Ferrari plans to recover from its 2020 F1 nightmare
The 2020 Formula 1 season was Ferrari's worst for 40 years as it slumped to sixth in the standings. A repeat performance will not be acceptable for the proud Italian team, which has adopted a notably pragmatic approach to forging its path back to the top
Why Aston Martin’s arrival is more than just new green livery
In the most eagerly anticipated Formula 1 team launch of the season, the rebranded Aston Martin squad’s changes go much further than the striking paint job. But rather than a restart, the team hopes to build on top of solid foundations.
The car Aston Martin begins its new F1 journey with
The team formerly known as Racing Point gambled successfully on a Mercedes look-alike in 2020 as it mounted a strong challenge for third in the constructors' race and won the Sakhir GP. Now clothed in British racing green, Aston Martin's first Formula 1 challenger since 1960 provides the clearest indicator yet of what to expect from the new-for-2021 regulations
The driver problems facing Mercedes in 2021
Ahead of the new Formula 1 season, reigning world champions Mercedes will take on challenges both old and new. This also can be said for its driver conundrum which could become key to sustaining its ongoing success
How Alpine's cure to 2021 F1 rules starts at the front
A new name, new faces and new colours pulls the rebranded Alpine Formula 1 team into a new era while carrying over core elements of its 2020 car. But under the surface there's more than meets the eye with the A521 which hints at how the team will tackle 2021
Can Mercedes' W12 retain the team's crown?
Replacing Formula 1's fastest car was never going to be an easy feat for Mercedes. Amid the technical rule tweaks to peg back the W12 and its 2021 rivals, the new Mercedes challenger will remain the target to beat
The big F1 questions of 2021
After an unprecedented season last year, there are plenty of questions and storylines for the upcoming Formula 1 campaign. Sky Sports F1 pundit Karun Chandhok gives his verdict
The pointed note that starts Ferrari's Leclerc vs Sainz era
Ferrari is starting its post-Sebastian Vettel age by welcoming Carlos Sainz Jr in alongside Charles Leclerc. But while Sainz has a tough challenge to match his new team-mate, Ferrari is also sending a message that previous intra-team spats must end
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About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Lewis Hamilton , Valtteri Bottas |
| Author | Ben Anderson |