Drivers at crossroads in season of uncertainty

Will Vettel shine in final season with Ferrari?

After confirming he is leaving Ferrari at the end of this year, Sebastian Vettel may feel freed and capable of delivering the consistency and speed that can inspire the team again despite the threat of Charles Leclerc.

The four-time champion has the speed and quality, but Ferrari has to deliver a car that can show immediate performance development as the season unfolds.

Preseason testing suggested that this year's machine had sacrificed some of last year's outright straight-line speed for improved pace in slow and medium corners.

End of the road for Williams and what now for Russell?

George Russell and Williams face a defining season after the British team was put up for sale during the shutdown－leaving their young and talented English driver to race for his future this year.

Russell, a member of the Mercedes junior driver program, is tipped to have a big future, but needs a stronger team in 2021 to prove himself unless Williams finds some resurgent form and hauls itself off the bottom of the championship.

Russell made good use of the shutdown to become F1's 'virtual champion' from his home computer during an e-sports competition, and said recently he is "very excited" to return to racing.

"It's going to be surreal, but I can't wait for it－I just want to be back in a car."

Not much prospect of joy for Ricciardo at Renault?

Daniel Ricciardo is famous for his beaming smile and big hugs, but he has had to abandon his tactile approach to life.

He will be joined by a new Renault teammate in Frenchman Esteban Ocon, but decided during lockdown to leave the team next year and switch to McLaren as a successor to departing Spaniard Carlos Sainz, who is joining Ferrari.

The fact that McLaren is switching to Mercedes engines was a factor and one that may not have enhanced Ricciardo's standing with Renault as he starts his final season.

"I've got to keep my distance," he admitted in a team video call last week. "We're going to find some new ways to embrace each other, especially after a good result, but obviously we're going to do what we can to keep this thing (coronavirus) out of the paddock."

AFP