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Lewis Hamilton
Mission: To stand alone as the greatest of all time
The challenge is laid bare for Lewis. Win one more title for the ‘unbeatable’ all-time record. |
Lando Norris
Mission: Take the fight to his star team-mate
In his third season, he needs to come close to matching Ricciardo to keep his future star credentials valid. |
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Charles Leclerc
Mission: Maintain his place as Ferrari’s future hero
This means delivering a less error-riddled season, while retaining leadership against the ambitious Sainz. |
Antonio Giovinazzi
Mission: Close the gap to Räikkönen
He needs to justify his reprieve by out-performing Räikkönen consistently, something he’s yet to do. |
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Valtteri Bottas
Mission: Emerge from Hamilton’s shadow
The Finn will need an extraordinary season to hold onto the seat. Replacements are ready to take his place. |
Sebastian Vettel
Mission: Prove he’s not past it and dominate Stroll
After a truly awful season, his credibility is at a low. Getting it back is achievable in a quick car but not a given. |
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Carlos Sainz
Mission: Upset the apple cart, and Leclerc
All he needs do is his usual and he can emerge as a superstar in this F1 environment. |
Nikita Mazepin
Mission: Try to shake off his loutish image
Similar challenges to Mick Schumacher, but even tougher as there is a great will to see Schumacher succeed. |
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Max Verstappen
Mission: Fight for the title, or lure Mercedes in
A golden chance to end Mercedes’ domination if the car is up to it. Hamilton’s replacement for 2022? |
Lance Stroll
Mission: Prove he’s up to it and add consistency
Stringing together his impressive peaks would make for a great driver, but it’s been that way for a while. |
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Pierre Gasly
Mission: Keep showing Red Bull it was wrong
He’s reached the level where he’s outgrown the junior Red Bull team so needs another impressive season. |
Mick Schumacher
Mission: Show some Schumacher flair
In a car of which nothing is expected, he just needs to occasionally mix it with the others to get experience. |
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Sergio Pérez
Mission: To be more than just Max’s rear gunner
A richly deserved opportunity after so long, but Verstappen is likely to cast him in a Bottas role.
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Fernando Alonso
Mission: Show the world he’s still brilliant
Displaying the relentless pace of his previous days is the first order of business, relative to the car’s level.
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Yuki Tsunoda
Mission: Match up to his team-mate’s performance
If he can achieve parity to Gasly, and make a couple of stand-out performances, he’ll be in a good place. |
George Russell
Mission: Make Mercedes come knocking…
Difficult to see this as anything other than a holding season. Biggest challenge? Maintaining focus.
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Daniel Ricciardo
Mission: Show the world that he’s champion material
Needs to establish team-leader status over the thrusting young talent of Lando Norris.
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Esteban Ocon
Mission: To perform like the rising star he was
His status as a future star was damaged by being almost whitewashed by Ricciardo. Can’t happen with Alonso.
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Kimi Räikkönen
Mission: Carry on just being Kimi…
He’s not one for targets. If the Alfa is good enough, it would be great to see a reprise of his vintage Alonso battles.
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Nicholas Latifi
Mission: Get closer to Russell consistently
Being half-a-second adrift of Russell as a rookie wasn’t a disgrace, but he needs to narrow that gap this season.
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