Formula 1: Two-round, 10-team 2021 mock draft

Alfa Romeo – Round 2, Pick 3 (Pick 13 overall): Esteban Ocon

On the morning of the Sakhir Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit last year, I literally texted a friend saying that I basically forgot Esteban Ocon existed, given how little was said about him throughout the 2020 season, especially considering the Max Verstappen clash that clouded his 2018 exit from the sport and subsequent off year — and the fact that he was even discussed as a potential Mercedes driver before they re-signed Valtteri Bottas.

Lo and behold, the driver who had never previously finished a race higher than fifth place went on to finish second in that event.

When he is actually talked about, Ocon does tend to be a bit overhyped, given the fact that he has never beaten a teammate in the driver standings in three full seasons of competition. But at 24 years of age, his best years should lie ahead of him, provided he doesn’t end up losing his ride and being out of the sport again, and he has already shown strength against his new teammate in 2021.

AlphaTauri – Round 2, Pick 4 (Pick 14 overall): Yuki Tsunoda

Yuki Tsunoda is probably the driver who we know the least about among the current field, so AlphaTauri won’t know exactly what they’re getting here right away — much like in real life after they signed him to replace Daniil Kvyat.

However, the upside makes him worth this #14 overall selection. The youngest driver in Formula 1, Tsunoda became the first driver born in the 2000s to compete in the sport when he made his debut in late March, and he did so after just one season of Formula 2 competition, a season which saw him finish in third place in the driver standings with three wins.