Time to Retire? The Older F1 Generation Vs The Young.

Time after time in the F1 Twitter community, I see fans commenting that older drivers, such as Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso - to name but a handful, should make way for the up and coming generation of drivers from the likes of Formula 2 and Formula 3. But, should we be thinking this? Do the older guys still have what it takes? Is it really time for them to retire?

The average age of the 2021 Formula One driver line up is 27, with the majority of drivers being under 25. There is then the other end of the spectrum, the older guys. One of them is in their forties. Another is just off that. Where as some others are in their mid-thirties. Are these guys too "old" to be racing? I don't think so, after all, age is just a number.

Let's look at the four oldest drivers on the grid; Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel. Coincidentally, they are also the four drivers that have been on the grid the longest but between the four of them there are 14 World Driver Championships with Lewis achieving SIX of them in the past six years. However, out of these four, Lewis is the only one to still be racing for a top team. As for the other three, I think it's very important that they've found a home with mid-field teams. They may not be at the front of the field fighting for wins and podiums. They may only be just about scrapping it out for that final point but that shouldn't mean they shouldn't be there. These men still have the passion for motor sport. They still enjoy getting into the car and racing. And, most importantly, they are bringing their experience and expertise into their teams. Regardless, it's fair to say, they have as much right to be on the grid as anyone; young or old.

But, you could argue this. There are only 20 seats. In the past there have been more but now it is just a mere 20. There are also thousands upon thousands of young drivers out there itching for a chance in the pinnacle of motor sport that is Formula One. Why are they not getting the chances they deserve?

Lets look at Max Verstappen. A young driver who got his chance in F1 at 18 years of age with only a years experience in single seater racing. Surely, that's a disaster waiting to happen? I thought so but Max has proved me wrong. In fact, he is currently on track to win his first World Drivers Championship this year at age 24. However, he won't be the youngest. That record belongs to one of our older drivers; Sebastian Vettel. Does this indicate the younger a driver is, the better they perform? Possibly. But let's not forget, despite the evolution of Formula One, that Juan Manuel Fangio currently holds the record of the oldest World Drivers Champion. One he achieved at age 46 in 1957.

There are also plenty of other young guns such as Lando Norris and George Russell that are making an impression on Formula One fans this season, so, I completely understand why these fans are finding themselves completely in awe of the younger generation coming through. In fact, I'm also extremely excited to see what the future holds for Formula One and these younger drivers. It's an exciting prospect.

Still, referring back to our OAPs of the sport, they deserve to be here racing at the very top. They may not be at their best anymore but they are achieving things in other ways. They are passionate and we should still count ourselves extremely lucky to be able to watch them. They are World Champions after all.

Yes, unfortunately drivers in junior series will miss out on a seat in F1. We've been deprived of talent before (Antonio Felix da Costa, for example) and unfortunately, we will get deprived again. But, lets not blame the older guys. Maybe we should be pointing our fingers elsewhere as to why there are not enough seats? A financial aspect, maybe? Regardless, Formula One is a cut throat sport. You either make it or you don't.

My Top 5 Race Tracks of F1 2021

With the 2021 Formula One season well underway, I've decided to make a quick post detailing my top five circuits that feature on the 2021 Formula One calendar and why I have chosen them as my favourite.

As we know, the race calendar has constantly been chopping and changing around due to the Coronavirus pandemic. But let's not lie, in some way, for Formula One, it has been a god-send. We have seen some excellent racing and battles as well the addition and re-addition of some fantastic circuits which has added to the excitement. Some of these circuits have given us mixed up grids and podiums as well as a championship battle we have craved for years. I, for one, cannot wait to see what the rest of the season holds. Before that though, lets talk favourite tracks.

5) - Suzuka International Racing Course, Japan

All the circuits that appear on this list are prestige, historic, old-school Formula One circuits and Suzuka in Japan falls nicely into that category.

Hosting it's first Formula One race in 1987, Suzuka is one of my firm favourites due to it's aggressive, high-speed and low-speed corners including 130R; one where I love to see a Formula One battle take place. It's also the only circuit on the calendar to be built in a "figure of eight" shape adding to it's already quirkiness. It's a unique circuit and I hope we can see it stick around for some time to come.

4) - Intercity Istanbul Park (or just Istanbul Park), Turkey

I am extremely grateful that I am able to be writing about this wonderful circuit. At the beginning of the season it was not apart of the calendar but will be rejoining the Formula One circus again, for the second consecutive year in a row in October replacing Singapore. Aren't we lucky?

A nostalgic circuit for myself, Istanbul first joined the Formula One calendar in 2005 and before last year, was last seen in 2011 due to a financial disagreement. What stands out for me at this circuit is the incredible Turn 8 (aka Diabolica), a long, high speed, left hand turn with four apexes which really challenges the drivers. I also like how the circuit lies over four different ground levels which can effect the cars in different ways with some acclimatising better to the higher ground than the lower, for example. The sad thing about this circuit is that from 2011 it fell into disuse and became a cafe. Yes, a cafe. With seating on the start/finish straight. Formula One has since saved and brought this fun yet tough circuit back to life.

3) - Circuit de Monaco, Monaco

I hate street circuits. But, I like Monaco. It's a shame that in this day and age, I'm one of only a handful of people who do like this circuit. Debuting it's first race around the principality in 1929, Monaco is one of the oldest circuits on the calendar which is why I love it so.

Probably the most prestige and historic circuit on the Formula One calendar, every driver wants to win Monaco. As time has moved forward and the cars have evolved, due to it's status as a street circuit it cannot move forward with everything else, as such. The cars have become to big and powerful meaning less overtaking and more "follow the leader" for 70 odd laps. But, that's ok. The 2022 cars will be more suited to this rollercoaster that splits the boys from the men and the girls from the women. Also, we still get to see the stunning, beauty that is Monaco. Again, I like it's uniqueness. It's a narrow circuit sitting at various meters above sea-level and it really tests a drivers focus and ability. As ex-Formula One driver Jolyon Palmer once said; "You must always be alert on a street circuit."

2) - Interlagos Circuit - Brazil

Every year I look forward to the Brazilian Grand Prix. It never fails to deliver. The Brazilian Grand Prix has been staged at Interlagos, a suburb of Sao Paulo, since 1972 on and off. In 1985, the circuit was renamed The Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace after local Formula One driver Jose Carlos Pace perished in a place crash.

I love this circuit because of the dramatic races that it can produce. Most notable was the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix where that years title would go down to the wire. Similar to Suzuka, the track is anti-clockwise, one of only a few and is littered with high-speed corners making for some great overtaking and fast laps. I, along with many drivers and fans enjoy this circuit for it's hilly nature where it follows the Sao Paulo terrain up and down thus putting way more pressure on the car and making life a bit more tough for the drivers. Turns 1 and 2 aka The Senna S's are also some of the most famous in Formula One. After missing out on a slot in the calendar last year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, I am counting down the days F1 goes back here.

1) Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium

Of course, the number one spot would go to the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. The longest circuit on the Formula One calendar, I always look forward to the Belgium Grand Prix.

Some of the most famous corners in motor racing are here in Belgium including the aggressive and ability testing Eau Rouge. Can they take it flat out? Or will they need to lift?

Current Formula One driver Fernando Alonso explains Eau Rouge as:

"...You come into the corner downhill, have a sudden change [of direction] at the bottom and then go very steep uphill. From the cockpit, you cannot see the exit and as you come over the crest, you don't know where you will land. It is a crucial corner for the timed lap, and also in the race, because you have a long uphill straight afterwards where you can lose a lot of time if you make a mistake. But it is also an important corner for the driver's feeling. It makes a special impression every lap, because you also have a compression in your body as you go through the bottom of the corner. It is very strange – but good fun as well."

The circuit is just complete madness and I love it.

Since 1925 (the first F1 race) the circuit has gone through many renovations over the years including shortening it from 8 miles to 4 but still, has always been used as a "speed course" with a reputation of being very fast and dangerous with numerous fatalities over the years. But, thanks to the safety precautions taken by the circuit and the FIA, these are now very rare.

It's such an incredible circuit to watch a racing driver drive, especially as they tackle the likes of Eau Rouge, Raidillion and Blanchimont. I hope I get to visit this roller coaster of a circuit someday.

Well, there we have it; my top five circuits of the 2021 Formula One calendar. I almost feel bad for leaving some of my other favourites out including the Red Bull Ring in Austria, Monza in Italy and the Circuit of the Americas in the USA. Unfortunately, I couldn't include them all.

Out of those five, the Formula One circuit have only visited one so far this year; Monaco. I have so much to look forward to with the rest of this season. I can't wait!

Let's Talk About Max Verstappen

"Max Verstappen wins the (insert country here) Grand Prix." I enjoy hearing these words. I enjoy watching him drive. I enjoy seeing his passion that he has for racing. And now, I just NEED to talk about Max Verstappen.

On 18th August 2014, at aged only 16 years old, Dutch racing driver Max Verstappen was announced to drive at Scuderia Toro Rosso - now known as Alpha Tauri. I don't know about you but this announcement made me hesitate. In fact, at the time of the announcement, Verstappen was driving in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, his first in single seaters. Surely, a driver trying to get into Formula One should have more experience than this? Well, Red Bull didn't think so. And now, in 2021, bringing Max into the Red Bull family was one of their best decisions to date. Surely, he is World Championship material? Surely, he is one of the very best to grace a race track? Well, after the past few seasons, I definitely believe this to be true.

Back in 2014, several Formula One teams including Red Bull and Mercedes had their eyes on Max Verstappen. He was a wanted man for his talent and subsequently joined Red Bull after impressing the team during a test in a Formula Renault 3.5 car. In 2015 he made his Formula One debut with Toro Rosso making him the youngest full time driver, ever. It also wasn't too long after his debut to break yet another record by becoming the youngest points scorer at the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix finishing P7 and ahead of his teammate; Carlos Sainz. And, after impressing many critics at Toro Rosso, Verstappen was promoted to the Red Bull Racing team in 2016. He even won on his debut with the team at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, again breaking yet more records. This time, becoming the youngest race winner. Max made it obvious, he was here to win.

Fast forward to 2021. Verstappen is still racing strong at Red Bull Racing with 12 wins, 47 podiums, 4 pole positions, 12 fastest laps and 1267 career points (including Toro Rosso). He's also managed to beat four teammates since his debut in 2015 and looks to make it five in 2021. But what makes Max really special? Anyone could do this in this car, no?

Well, no, probably not. This has been proved numerous times in the past few years where Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon have all failed to match the Dutchman. Verstappen pushes the car to the max (pun intended). He's the only driver, apart from Valterri Bottas - who drives a Mercedes, on the grid in the past few seasons to be able to fight against and challenge Lewis Hamilton and it seems this season that the challenge is well and truly on.

I find there is something special about watching Verstappen drive a Formula One car. He has an aggressive form of driving, which I like. Attacking the corners, hitting the apexes and finding the fastest line, his laps are almost perfect. Almost. He does however, make mistakes. As does everyone. But, in his early career these were frequent. As he has gotten older and more experienced, he seems to have learnt from these and any accidents of his are mainly that, accidents or bad luck. Despite this, he is one of the best, there is no denying it and unfortunately for his teammates, Red Bull will constantly compare them to Verstappen and there just doesn't seem to be another Verstappen out there. At only 23 years old, Max has plenty of time to become a world champion but I wouldn't be too surprised to see him clench his first this season. The first of many, for sure. Lewis Hamilton definitely has a challenge on his hands while Max is around. Watch this space.