F1: NEW CARS BUT OLD NUMBERS

F1: New cars but old numbers -Image: LAT

Several of the F1 teams have decided not to give their new 2021 cars completely new chassis numbers.

By DAN KNUTSON

The technical rules have remained pretty much the same across these two years, with the main changes in 2021 coming in the rear floor and diffuser area to reduce aerodynamic downforce.

The 2020 McLaren MCL35 becomes the MCL35M to represent the fact that Daniel Ricciardo’s new team has switched from Renault to Mercedes power units in 2021.

Red Bull’s 2021 car will be the RB16B rather than the RB17.

When the New York-based investment firm Dorilton Capital bought the Williams team from the family back in August it vowed to keep the Williams name for both the team and the cars. The 2021 version is called the Williams FW43B rather than the FW44 because it is based on last year’s FW43.

Ferrari, which has competed in all 70 seasons of F1, does not sequentially number its cars. For example, the 2020 car was called the SF1000 to honour Scuderia Ferrari competing in its 1000th world championship F1 grand prix during the season. The 2019 SF90 celebrated Ferrari’s 90th anniversary. And this year’s car will be called the SF21 for Scuderia Ferrari 2021.

The new car launch dates that have been announced so far:

McLaren – 15 February

AlphaTauri – 19 February

Alfa Romeo – 22 February

Mercedes – 2 March

Williams – 5 March

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