The 2021 F1 season was an intense battle for the drivers’ championship between reigning champion Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. The battle culminated in the final round of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when Hamilton was overtaken by Verstappen to secure his first title. The sport dominated the whole season and there is no denying that absolutely no driver stood a chance against the two title contenders.
However, new technical and financial restraints coming in over the next year are expected to create a level playing field. This will likely result in the fights getting closer than ever, with multiple contenders battling for the title.
The battle between Hamilton and Verstappen will undoubtedly go down as one of the most exciting in the history of the sport. The battles in midfield for places in the constructors’ championship cannot be overlooked.
The close duels between Ferrari and McLaren for P3 and between Alpine and Alpha Tauri for P5 kept the fans looking forward to exciting races throughout the season. Given the expected level of opportunity within the cars over the next year, these drivers are expected to put up a tough battle for the title.
Here are the 5 drivers who could be title contenders in F1 2022
# 1 Max Verstappen
After an impressive season, Max Verstappen reminded his Red Bull team of the sweet taste of victory, to say the least. He became the first Dutch driver to win an F1 championship while bringing his team closer to the constructors’ title that year. He made his part in the annals of the sport by defeating Lewis Hamilton, which has remained largely unchallenged in recent years.
Verstappen has no intention of losing his position as champions and wants to give everything in 2022 to defend his title. The dynamism and confidence with which the 24-year-old started will play a huge role in his ability to take consecutive championship wins.
# 2 Lewis Hamilton
In 2020 Lewis Hamilton hit Michael Schumacher’s historic seventh record and with his brilliant form he appeared to be in eighth place. The championship lead changed hands over the course of the season, but since the Brazilian Grand Prix, Hamilton has dominated the sport with three consecutive race wins. After leading almost the entire Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he lost devastatingly to Verstappen on the final lap.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff fears that the Briton could decide to leave Formula 1 after the incident on the last lap in Abu Dhabi, which cost him his eighth championship win. Until that is confirmed, Lewis Hamilton is likely to return next season, more determined than ever to win the title he believes he deserves.
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