Following a year of waiting because of the recent pandemic, the 2022 Formula One-designed cars will debut this Sunday at the Bahrain International Circuit. It will be the beginning of what might be the most interesting F1 season in years.
Even after the last two tests, it is barely enough for fans and journalists to comprehend who could be in contention for the top spots this season. With that, here is a preview of all of the teams, including what might happen in 2022.
AMG MERCEDES– George Russell takes over from Valtteri Bottas. Two British drivers are now on the same team, and it will be interesting to see how committed Russell is to helping Lewis Hamilton win a record-breaking eighth world title. Might Russell replicate what Nico Rosberg did in 2016? That year, Rosberg captured the title, the only driver outside of Hamilton to win a world championship until Verstappen grabbed it in 2021. The odds are low for a repeat because Russell knows he will have a chance when Hamilton decides his racing days are over.
RED BULL RACING– Max Verstappen will be with the team until the end of 2028, which means Sergio Perez, or even Pierre Gasly, will play an assist role. Much like at Mercedes, Verstappen runs this team as a driver.
FERRARI– If the recent tests told us anything, it is that the Prancing Horse is on an upswing. Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz Jr., and the team will compete for the Constructor’s Championship, primarily because of consistency. Watch this squad.
McLAREN- This is another team that could challenge the top teams. Both Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo are evenly matched, Norris had better results last season, even though Ricciardo won in Italy. Consistency is the key for McLaren, including more podium finishes.
ALPINE– This team could advance to fourth or, if luck plays out, even third, if the car is competitive. I think Fernando Alonso will remain with the team for a few more years if he does well this year. If not, I predict he will leave. Frenchman Esteban Ocon could stay longer-term with this French team. The bottom line? Alpine very well could be one of 2022’s most improved teams.
ASTON MARTIN– This could be Sebastian Vettel’s last chance to make a move up the F1 grid. The good news is that Vettel looked good in recent testing. But the radical-looking car must be more than aesthetically pleasing. It must perform and Vettel needs to be the performer. Lance Stroll is likely to show well a few times this year, but don’t look for bigger things from the #2 seat at Aston Martin.
ALPHA TAURI– Like Alpine, Alpha Tauri could move up the grid this season. Pierre Gasly was very consistent last season, and he could do it again IF he has the car to do it. Yuki Tsunoda improved over the course of last season, as well as in recent testing, so look for better results from him.
WILLIAMS– George Russell made this team succeed last year, and now he is off to Mercedes. Nicholas Latifi is returning, joined by the newly recruited Alex Albon. But other than a few points in races here and there, I do not see major things from Williams.
ALFA ROMEO—Valtteri Bottas is a significant improvement at Alfa Romeo, and (because of him) we may see positive results early on. Still, I’m not as confident about the full season. Guanyu Zhou gives the team a lower-cost option in the #2 seat, but I don’t think this rookie will do anything more than pick up a few points.
HAAS F1- Hass was the most talked-about team over the last weeks due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Because of that, the team lost both its main sponsor and second driver. But all is not lost. Kevin Magnussen is returning to Formula 1 after two years away from the sport, and Hass could move up to the midfield because of ‘s expertise. Mick Schumacher is back again, too, and he’ll undoubtedly benefit from Magnussen’s veteran leadership.
Besides new cars, this season may have the most races in history–if the canceled Russian Grand Prix is replaced. Turkey is a candidate.
