The F1 figures Red Bull and Mercedes can't afford to see again

OPINION: An interloper squad got amongst the title contenders during Formula 1’s street-circuit mini-break, where Red Bull left with the points lead in both championships. But, as the campaign heads back to purpose-built venues once again, how the drivers of the two top teams compare in one crucial area will be a major factor in deciding which squad stays in or retakes the top spot

“The coming races are absolutely critical to the outcome of the world championship.”

The above statement, uttered by no one in particular, could really apply to any group of races one looks at throughout the 2021 Formula 1 season’s schedule. While this remains a fluctuating beast given the ongoing disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, every one of the 22 races (or however many events ultimately do end up taking place this year) offers the same number of points.

But, of course, as the rounds tick by and the results pile up, the share of points required to be successful differs. This is nothing new, but it and the phrase we started with are worth bearing in mind as F1 heads to Paul Ricard for the returning French Grand Prix this weekend.

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Author Alex Kalinauckas

Alex Kalinauckas is Autosport's Grand Prix Editor, covering every Formula 1 race since the start of 2020. After completing a master's degree in journalism at Goldsmiths College University of London in 2014, he worked for a range of motorsport and technology publications while covering national racing as an Autosport freelancer.

A lifelong motorsport fan - no one in his family can explain quite how or why such a development first occurred - Alex joined the Autosport staff in April 2017 as the magazine’s Assistant Editor covering Formula 2 and GP3, before being made Formula E correspondent and Autosport.com’s Plus Editor in March 2018. He lives in north-east London and is constantly frustrated by the Central Line.