Formula 1: Two-round, 10-team 2021 mock draft
By Asher Fair
Aston Martin – Round 1, Pick 7 (Pick 7 overall): Carlos Sainz Jr.
Carlos Sainz Jr. falls to #7 overall, and with that, Aston Martin secure the steal of the draft thus far. Sainz has proven his worth at every team he has been on: Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren and now he has the chance to do so again at Ferrari against Charles Leclerc.
In his first year with McLaren in 2019, he finished in sixth place in the driver standings, becoming the first non-Mercedes, Red Bull or Ferrari driver to finish in the top six since 2015, and he backed up that performance in 2020 by tying for sixth in the standings.
We tend to forget that Sainz is still only 26 years old, given the fact that the 2021 season is already his seventh. As good as he has been so far, he still has plenty of potential, especially with the right team.
McLaren – Round 1, Pick 8 (Pick 8 overall): Sergio Perez
Speaking of non-Mercedes, Red Bull or Ferrari drivers, Sergio Perez, who is actually now a Red Bull driver, became the first driver of that variety to finish in the top four in the driver standings since 2014 with his fourth place finish driving for Racing Point in 2020.
During the 2020 season, he secured just the second win for a non-Mercedes, Red Bull or Ferrari driver since 2013. That win was the first of his career, ending his record streak of 189 races without a win since he began competing.
McLaren get a steal here at #8 overall, selecting the only active driver who has beaten his teammates in the driver standings in each of the last six seasons.