Here are five reasons you should be excited …
The great unknown
2022 will be the largest regulatory revision of Formula 1, as it levels the playing field with the introduction of significant technical and financial rules.
The various changes include a switch from 13- to 18-inch tires with recessed hubcaps, simplified front wings and body, and a floor effect.
All of these changes will come under a stricter budget cap, with teams now limited to spending a maximum of $ 140 million – $ 5 million less than in 2021.
F1 stars Ross Brawn and Pat Symonds were heavily involved in drawing up these new regulations to transform the premier class of motorsport into a more competitive environment.
Related articles
If 2022 were just a continuation of last year, Mercedes and Red Bull would undoubtedly be the two best teams, with Ferrari and McLaren having to make unrealistic progress over the winter to even threaten in a 23-race season.
The slate has been completely erased for 2022, meaning it is a major unknown.
Will a team find a loophole like Brawn GP 2009 did with the double diffuser?
Will some drivers like the new cars better than others?
Is the race getting better?
There are a lot of unknowns in the season and that’s what’s exciting.
Mercedes could be the team to beat again, but at least it’s not a certainty like it was between 2014 and 2020.
Related articles
A rematch between Verstappen and Hamilton?
F1 saw its most incredible title fight in years, as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton battled for the 2021 crown until the final lap in Abu Dhabi.
While the controversy over the safety car phase and subsequent protests wasn’t the end anyone wanted, the duel between the two main protagonists of F1 put the sport back on the map in the mainstream media.
The constant battles and the drama of Verstappen and Hamilton along the way provided plot after plot.
While the rivalry between the drivers remained amicable, the team bosses Christian Horner and Toto Wolff caused a sensation throughout the season by firing shots at each other in a verbal battle.
The way Hamilton lost the title to Verstappen will no doubt have wounded him, but an injured Hamilton is often a very dangerous Hamilton.
The seven-time champion has recovered well from adversity in the past and only a fool would prevent him from returning to the top in 2022.
Hamilton is believed to be arguably the greatest rider of all time, while Verstappen is well on the way to joining that group.
If 2022 delivers a rematch between Verstappen and Hamilton, we should be very lucky.
Russell gets his Mercedes chance
After three years at Williams, George Russell finally gets his chance at Mercedes.
There was never any doubt about his raw speed as Russell was nicknamed “Mr Saturday” for his incredible one-lap performance.
In 2021, Russell seemed to be taking that final step, turning his chances into big points as he helped Williams secure eighth place in the Constructors’ Championship ahead of Alfa Romeo.
Russell was rightly promoted to his first podium at the Belgian Shortened Grand Prix and it will be fascinating to see how he fares against Hamilton.
The 23-year-old was spot on at his one-time substitution at the Sakhir Grand Prix in 2020, so it’s hard to imagine he’ll fight in that division.
Tire management, race starts, wheel-to-wheel battles are all areas that Hamilton excels in during his recent title wins while it’s difficult to judge Russell.
The dynamics between the two drivers are also interesting.
Will it be a situation of the Charles Leclerc-Sebastian Vettel type, with the former being clearly the faster of the two and thus soon inheriting number one status at Ferrari.
I doubt Hamilton is not far from his peak form, although Russell will undoubtedly be a tougher test than his predecessor Valtteri Bottas.
In theory, the dynamic between the two Brits should be good – Russell and his childhood hero are on the best team of the past eight years, while Hamilton has nothing to prove.
We will see.
Will ‘El Plan’ bear fruit?
Will 2022 finally be the year Fernando Alonso has a car capable of holding its own at the top of the field?
As already mentioned, the new regulations should theoretically give every team the chance to assert themselves and push forward.
Returning to F1 after a two-year absence, we saw a glimpse of the magic of Alonso in 2021 with his fantastic starts, superb racing skills and even a return to the podium in Qatar.
Alonso feels ready to win again, while Alpine – also as Renault – promises a leap forward at some point.
Aston Martin is hoping for something similar after a lackluster 2021 campaign that was severely marred by changes in land regulations that affected low-rake cars.
It would be great to see Alonso and Sebastian Vettel return to the top of the field as a bad season could mean another high profile retirement from the sport for both teams.
Storylines everywhere
The great thing about the 2022 reset is that there is a reason for every team in the field to be optimistic and a number of key storylines that come with it.
It is noteworthy that Ferrari hasn’t won a title since 2008, but it is certainly time for the famous Italian team to return to the top with their incredibly strong pairing Carlos Sainz and Leclerc.
Can Daniel Ricciardo get back to his best with McLaren? How will Bottas hold its own at Alfa Romeo? Alex Albon will get his chance to make amends with Williams. And what about Haas – could the American outfit be the surprise of the season?
There is so much to look forward to in 2022.
