2021 Formula 1 Constructors Standings Review

Photo from Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team

It’s been a few weeks since the Formula 1 season ended, and I just remembered I forgot to review my predictions of the 2021 constructors standings.

Leave me alone. I’m sick.

Nevertheless, here are the results of the season with my predictions next to them.

You can find my predictions here.

1. Mercedes (My prediction: 1st)

In testing, Mercedes looked like they struggled a lot with the massive downforce, and I put in my prediction that this could possibly be the year Red Bull gets them.

But I knew better than to bet against the 7 time reigning constructors champions.

The gap was closer, like we all expected, but Mercedes powered through and have won a record 8 straight constructors titles.

It’s also been revealed they didn’t use any of their development tokens this season, meaning they have been fully focused on next seasons car.

So we can sort of guess who I’ll be predicting first next year…

2. Red Bull Racing (My prediction: 2nd)

I mean, if Mercedes was going to be first, then Red Bull had to be second.

Such is this era of Formula 1.

3. Ferrari (My prediction: 5th)

Well, safe to say I got this one wrong!

And it’s because I did what every Formula 1 fan and analyst seems to do and that is forget how damn good of a driver Carlos Sainz is.

McLaren seemed to have 3rd locked up before Carlos went on a tear at the end of the season, and Charles Leclerc is no slouch either.

Ferrari have two extremely talented drivers, a team principal who is a “wizard” at building a car, and brand new regulations coming next season.

Watch out…

4. McLaren (My prediction: 3rd)

I had this one locked up too.

But unfortunately Daniel Ricciardo had too many up and down races and Lando Norris had horrible luck in the back half of the season.

McLaren should be proud of this season, especially since they were somehow the only team to manage a 1-2 finish this year, but they still let one slip away.

5. Alpine (My prediction: 7th)

In my predictions, I pointed out that Esteban Ocon, while clearly talented, hadn’t been much of a difference maker in Formula 1 and that Fernando Alonso, one of the most talented drivers ever, was not easy to work with and very short tempered and bitter.

It didn’t seem like the right combo for a driver pairing.

Esteben Ocon shut me up with some solid drives, including a win in Hungary, while Alonso used his two year sabbatical to become much more mild mannered and a total team player.

I was very impressed by Alpine this season, even if they didn’t improve off last years standings where they also finished 5th.

6. Alpha Tauri (My prediction: 6th)

Another correct one!

Realistically, it’s going to be hard for a junior team to break into the top 5 and that’s exactly what Alpha Tauri are.

But this was still the best season Alpha Tauri (formerly Toro Rosso) have ever had, including a 3rd straight season with a podium.

7. Aston Martin (My prediction: 4th)

Ho boy…

Let me defend myself real fast before I point out that I’m not exactly smart.

Aston Martin (formerly Racing Point/Force India) had always performed well with a smaller budget.

Now they had a bigger budget. They also have Lance Stroll who is talented no matter what people say paired up with four time world champion Sebastian Vettel as their driver lineup.

I thought they could be special!

But I should have seen this coming.

Aston Martin is a similar car to Mercedes, and Mercedes struggled with the lower downforce this season.

Of course Aston Martin was going to struggle.

Seb did get a podium though. That was cool.

8. Williams (My prediction: 9th)

George Russell is a star.

His qualifying performances were insane this season, including qualifying 2nd with wet conditions in Belgium which led to his first podium (because the race never happened).

But it wasn’t just George, we saw a lot of good from Nicholas Latifi this season, who brought home 6 points for Williams in Hungary.

They have financial backing now and they are improving.

But they did lose Russell for next season to Mercedes.

That will hurt.

9. Alfa Romeo (My prediction: 8th)

Not much to say here, really.

Giovinazzi had some good performances and so did Kimi, but Kimi had one foot out the door as he knew he would be retiring before the season started, and Giovinazzi just isn’t that good.

Pair that with a car that isn’t a world beater, and you end up in 9th.

10. Haas (My prediction: 10th)

This one was easier than the Mercedes pick.

Haas was terrible last season and made no indications their car would be better this year.

They also got rid of two experienced drivers for two rookie drivers.

This was a recipe for zero points, which is exactly what they got.

However, they did say they were fully focused on 2022’s car and the last time they said that was in 2017.

Right before their best season yet as a team.

Maybe points are on the horizon next season.