A look ahead: Portuguese Grand Prix

It's Max Verstappen’s race to lose this weekend as we head into the third round of the F1 2021 calendar.

With just one point between Hamilton and Verstappen, it looks set to be a highly competitive race.

The Algarve International Circuit is known for its roller coaster track. Verstappen is in the form of his life and this track is not like any new generation tracks, as the elevation means the camber works with you.

Whilst this may give Verstappen the edge over Hamilton due to the race pace he has, this track could suit Valtteri Bottas’ skills and assets as he is much more a technical driver which has been shown at tracks such as Sochi.

Verstappen’s Red Bull showed great race pace at round two in Imola as the Dutch driver comfortably won with a 22-second gap over Hamilton.

Red Bull has made improvements on this year’s car as the new regulations suit a high rake car, like Red Bull’s, much more compared to the low rake car of Mercedes, since Red Bull’s shorter floor is more aerodynamic for the new changes.

Sergio Perez had a fantastic qualifying at Imola and put himself on the front row for this first time in his career. The new Red Bull driver has proved himself to be a valuable asset as he will want to score his first podium this weekend.

Team Principal Christian Horner would have been hoping it would be a hotter weekend for the race like it was at Silverstone last year, as the Red Bull is more suited towards hotter conditions compared to the Mercedes car as they are designed to be in cool air.

Red Bull has also improved their mirrors for this weekend as they are smaller compared to Imola, making them more aerodynamic.

It is also a brand-new car for both Bottas and George Russell which has been dubbed the two-million-pound crash as both cars needed everything replacing.

Only the chassis and the engine were not complete right offs but they both need repairs.

The McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo will be looking to build on their momentum from Imola as the former will be looking for another podium this weekend.

It will be a hot contest between Ferrari and McLaren for that coveted third place in the constructor’s championship.

The race will be live on Sky Sports at 15:00GMT.