5 key storylines before Formula 1 Pre-Season testing

The 2021 Formula 1 season is just around the corner. Most teams have launched their cars except for Ferrari. This will be the last season before new regulations come into effect in 2022.

The pre-season test in Bahrain is a week away. The shortened testing period will be crucial for teams to understand the car. It will also allow fans to see their favorite cars on the track for the first time. These are the key storylines heading into the test at Sakhir:

#1 Has Ferrari closed the gap with their engine?

Mattia Binotto claimed Ferrari were able to crawl back most of the power deficit Photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images.

Ferrari slipped in the pecking order in 2021. The team secured just 3 podiums throughout the season, ultimately finishing sixth in the constructors' championship. Ferrari's engine was the primary reason for their downfall.

The engine that was so dominant in 2019 and 2020 was suspected of having illegal elements to it. Since the FIA's inspection, the Ferrari engine has been much slower compared to the Mercedes, Renault, and Honda. During the team launch, Mattia Binotto said his team had worked hard to claw back lost engine performance and improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the car.

Ferrari needs to build an engine capable of competing with Mercedes. The Scuderia have gone two seasons without mounting a real challenge, which is unacceptable by their lofty standards. It is also important in case the FIA implements an engine freeze for 2022, which will stop development on the engine and leave Ferrari in a world of pain.

#2 What is Mercedes hiding underneath the floor?

The Mercedes floor would be catching the eye of the team at the pre-season testing. Photo: Mercedes/Twitter

FIA regulations have lowered the amount of downforce teams can generate this year. Mercedes chose to conceal the entire floor of the car. James Allison alluded that the floor was a major area the team was trying to recover downforce from. Mercedes is bound to garner interest from competitors and fans alike. The team that invented the controversial DAS system in 2020 could have found another loophole in the regulations which allows for greater performance. It could also be a bluff from the Brackley-based team. Only time and the pre-season test will reveal which is true.

#3 How will the new tires behave?

Lewis Hamilton at the launch of the W12 talked about tires playing a crucial in the 2021 season. Photo: Mercedes/Twitter

The 2021 iteration of Pirelli tires did not receive a warm welcome when their prototypes were run last year. Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel were not happy with the tires.

Despite criticism, Pirelli is expected to introduce the new iteration this year, expected to have stronger construction than last year's tires. Hamilton, during the launch of Mercedes' 2021 challenger, revealed the new tires could be half a second slower than last year.

Over recent years, the Mercedes has been kind on its tires. This has been crucial in their dominance and something the team focused on after suffering from tire-wear issues in 2018.

Teams will have to adjust to this new iteration, and it could lead to some interesting moments at the pre-season test and at the Bahrain Grand Prix on the 28th of March.

#4 Will Fernando Alonso attend pre-season testing?

Alonso suffered a broken jaw from his accident early in the year. Photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images.

Fernando Alonso was involved in a road accident during the offseason. The Spaniard was taken to a hospital where he had surgery on his fractured jaw. The two-time world champion missed Alpine's launch as he is currently working on recovery and rehabilitation in Switzerland. He is scheduled to take part in the pre-season test in Bahrain, but it remains to be seen if he will drive.

This has been a blow to the Spaniard, who joins Formula 1 after a two-year hiatus from the series. Alonso needed all the track time possible in order to acclimatize himself with the car. His injury is a major setback for the Spaniard and the Alpine F1 team. Only time will tell if Fernando Alonso can recover from this setback and set the timing charts on fire.

#5 How will the new teams fare at the first pre-season test?

The newly rebranded Alpine F1 team will attract a lot of attention. Photo: Alpine F1/Twitter.

Formula 1 welcomes two iconic names to the grid this season. Aston Martin makes a return to Formula 1 after a 60-year gap. Additionally, Renault has been rebranded to Alpine F1 Team.

Both teams will approach the 2021 season as a precursor to the regulation changes in 2022 and will be looking to make an immediate impact. Aston Martin, under the name Racing Point, finished fourth in the standings last season. Renault finished fifth in 2020 and fans can expect the battle to be close this year as well.

Both teams are targeting a top 3 result this season, but both have seen a flurry of changes in the background which could bring instability. Alpine has seen changes in top management while Aston Martin has undergone a major rebranding exercise.

Can the teams pick up from where they were last year and seamlessly progress to the front? Fans will get a rough idea at the pre-season test.