Opinion
Formula 1’s revolutionary 2022 cars are finally about to hit the track in anger for the first time at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, and we’ll finally get some answers about whether this radical new era will see a changing of the guard.
Mercedes have dominated F1 since the introduction of the hybrid-turbo powertrains in 2014, sustaining their reign over the sport through even multiple changes to aerodynamic regulations in that time. Lewis Hamilton has won all but two of the drivers championships since 2014 also.
The number one is being carried into the bumper new season by Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen following his triumph in the intense and controversial 2021 world championship, and there will be onus for the 24-year-old to retain that moniker given the rich new deal to keep him at Milton Keynes until the end of 2026.
Preseason testing has already shown that these new cars are fast and able to race closely with others, and the competitive order may be shaken up. Red Bull Racing and Ferrari were arguably the winners of testing, with Hamilton admitting already that Mercedes can’t compete for wins presently.
Car development will also be ramped up as teams begin to understand more about these new ground effect cars as well as continue to work to nullify the porpoising – the intense chattering seen down the straights.
What’ll be intriguing to see across the duration of the season is how teams utilise that US$140 million performance budget, as well as the limited wind-tunnel runs based upon championship position in the previous year.
Powertrain development has also been frozen until the next set of regulations set to debut in 2026, meaning that the OEMs have had extra work to ensure their power units are the best they’ve been since 2014.
(Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Red Bull and Mercedes have been aggressive already in their upgrades during the preseason, with the eight-time constructors champions turning heads with a radically slimmed sidepod design. Ferrari, on the other hand, have quietly gone about their business as they look to remerge at the front after their nadir in 2020.
McLaren initially looked the goods in Barcelona but were hamstrung in Bahrain by overheating brakes, and they continue to race for a solution. Starting on the back foot may see their season compromised if the others end up that far ahead, but again it would be remiss to not have the re-signed Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo, with the Aussie facing a make-or-break year.
The prospect of having as many as four teams fighting regularly at the front is indeed mouthwatering, and with younger names such George Russell in the Mercedes and the youthful Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz at Ferrari, Hamilton will have his hands full with trying to claim a record eighth title.
Even the midfield mainstays at this stage could fancy snagging race wins and regular trips to the podium, with a depth of talent spread across Alpine, AlphaTauri and Aston Martin. Already a race winner, Pierre Gasly could use a strong 2022 to springboard him to a frontrunning team, while fellow French winner Esteban Ocon can spearhead Alpine to long-awaited success.
Aston Martin and Alfa Romeo will be pressured into delivering results, particularly the former, who’ve had big investment from Lawrence Stroll and significant personnel changes in the off-season, notably including the removal of team principal Otmar Szafnauer, who’s now team boss at Alpine. Both teams boast big-name drivers, with four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel in green and Valtteri Bottas in red and white, so expectations to make a move up the order are valid.
Williams appear to be moving in the right direction. Red Bull-backed driver Alex Albon is returning to the grid to try to show the stunning form of his debut 2019 season. Haas too will need to move on quickly from the fallout of the removal of Russian sponsor Uralkali and driver Nikita Mazepin. The reappointment of Kevin Magnussen alongside sophomore Mick Schumacher spells more excitement.
With Formula 1 so close to hitting the track for its new era with the first practice session in Bahrain, cleansed is the feeling heading into this new championship with the rules revolution set to see a changing of the guard.
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