Eight great expectations for Formula 1 in 2022

In 2009, with the previous change to the design and aerodynamics regulations of Formula 1, which corresponds to the change of 2022, something completely unexpected happened: the protagonists Ferrari and McLaren suddenly became accomplices by 2008, while the until then faltering Honda, renamed Brawn GP, ​​suddenly becoming the top team in the sport.

It wasn’t until the great inspiration of the double diffuser from Team Brockley (which was bought by Mercedes a year later) that the data had to be completely changed. And not only that, but the correct implementation by Ross Bron’s team – after all, Toyota had the same idea of ​​the multi-stage diffuser, but not with the same result.

The white redesign of the cars was always accompanied by the expectation that new teams and drivers would be brought into management positions. In fact, this is one of the reasons the regulations change anyway. So this is the first big expectation for 2022 out of the ten we’ve selected:

1. New title contenders

The design of the 2022 cars will have nothing to do with the cars of 2021 as the FIA ​​has radically changed its entire aerodynamic philosophy to allow drivers to follow the car in front more closely. The aim is to make it easier for them to pass and thus to further improve the spectacle.

F1 hopes that the difference between the fastest and the least competitive car will not be more than 1.5 seconds in the next year.

Given that all teams were paying their full attention to the new 2022 car at a very early stage in 2021, a budget limit has been set so that the richer teams don’t have the upper hand and all engines are almost the same for ’22 and for for the next four years it seems to be difficult for a team to find a “window” into the regulations that no one else has thought of, which will make it boring. But never say never

2. Hamilton Ferstappen extend their appointment

A possible new chapter in Lewis Hamilton’s historic duel with Max Ferstappen this year will largely depend on how competitive Mercedes and Red Bull will be.

When they have almost equivalent cars in hand next year, Lewis Hamilton’s motivation for the record of 8 championships will collide with the even better, with more maturity and less stress, Max Ferstappen. And their struggles will get even closer when the new cars really allow them to move closer together.

Red Bull is unlikely to lag behind in the engine space despite Honda leaving as the Japanese help finalize the 2022 engine from the newly built RBR engine sector in Milton Keynes before engine development ceases entirely next March for four years.

3. Your great return Ferrari

For millions of fans around the world, and not just them, the face of F1 will change dramatically when Ferrari gets back into the title race. Everything indicates that this is possible in 2022: the Scuderia has made unimaginable strides since the miserable 2020 in ’21, despite having focused on the new car of ’22 very early on.

With the development of the hybrid engine in the fall and new winter, along with a rumored Shellell innovation in biofuels, it seems that even the slightest performance lag from Mercedes and Honda will now be eliminated. The climax of the Scuderia’s possible return to the title fights will be the thrilling duel that Charles Leclerc and Carlos Saint are expected to have in view of the Spaniard’s dazzling performance in 2021.

4. Alonso and his third championship

Fernando Alonso is among the top 3 best F1 drivers in the “post-you” era and it would be a great story if Alpine gave the Spaniard a car that can be protagonist again and realistically the championship for the first pick time since 2007.

After initial difficulties in getting used to Formula 1 from his two-year absence, Alonso completely remembered his old self from the summer of 2021 and proved that the age of 40 is not the slightest obstacle for him to become world champion again, 16 Years later, his second championship in 2006. There are clear signs that Alpine can be optimistic for 2022, as long as the latest advancement of the Renault engine brings it up to the performance levels of the other three sports.

5. McLaren in the fight for the title

The second-historic F1 team also showed in 2021 that it is again very close to the top level of F1 and can look optimistically to the completely redesigned car from 2022, because it will bear the signature of James Key, the “new” Adrian Newey »From F1.

The engine will not be a problem even though it is a customer engine as it will have exactly the same specifications as the factory Mercedes and its development will be frozen from March. With Lando Norris’ super talent and Daniel Ricciardo’s experience, McLaren also has one of the top driver combinations. As long as the Australian manages to adapt better than 2021.

6. The rise of George Russell

Brit George Russell replaces Valteri Botas after 5 years at Mercedes, and since he’s one of the most dazzling new talents in Formula 1, it’s not ruled out – if the Mercedes W13 is the protagonist – he could be another title contender and another source intrigue at Mercedes. Russell has the speed but not the experience, and besides, the deal with Mercedes could secure his position against Hamilton.

On the other hand, can you really control a driver when he is hoping to become world champion? 2007 Hamilton would answer no. Toto Wolff has stated that after the events between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in 2016, he will never lose control of the Mercedes drivers again.

7. The four-time master Vettel is still there

Sebastian Vettel’s unfortunate six years at Ferrari have turned out to be disastrous for the reputation of Sebastian Vettel, who continues to be four-time world champion. After his difficult adaptation to the Aston Martin and Mercedes engine, the German seemed to climb to his old level in the second half of 2021, finishing second on the podium (in Baku) and would likely be in the battle for the top six if the changes in the ’21 regulations would not have had such a negative impact on the team that it was at a very high level as Racing Point last year.

The Silverstone team has a five-year plan to create a championship with Lawrence Stroll’s investment, but it can’t be ruled out that they may have developed a very competitive car again in 2022. He definitely has the talent and potential for this.

8. A Schumacher rises again

In 2022, the real momentum is expected from Mick Schumacher, son of F1 legend Michael, as Haas will undoubtedly have a much more competitive car – since last year it has completely wiped out the ’21 car to focus solely on the design of ‘ to concentrate. 22. The young German gained a year of experience, found his limits (albeit with several accidents) and is now ready to bring the clear tests of talent and speed that he showed last season to the surface more clearly.