Auto Express Magazine

2022 TEAMS ANDDRIVERS

Stephen_Errity@autovia.co.uk

TEN teams and 20 drivers will once again take to the starting grid to kick off the 2022 F1 season in Bahrain this weekend. But although there hasn’t been as much driver movement over the winter as usual, the field looks radically different thanks to brand-new technical regulations that mandate simpler aerodynamics and bring back ‘ground effect’ for the first time since the early eighties. Closer, harder and more entertaining racing from lights to flag has been promised – as well as a closing of the gap between the frontrunners and the midfield.

Mercedes-AMG

@MercedesAMGF1

Engine Mercedes-AMG

Races 249 Wins 124

Titles 8 Last year 1st

WHILE the 2021 driver’s title slipped from Hamilton’s hands in controversial fashion in the closing laps at Abu Dhabi, the Silver Arrows did continue their unbroken run of constructors’ championship victories, which now stretches right back to 2014.

The utter dominance seen in recent seasons is unlikely to be repeated – simply because there are so many paths of development for both Mercedes and its rivals to follow with the new cars.

Red Bull will be right there and it’s increasingly looking like Ferrari will be, too, with McLaren not far behind. You only have to look at the ultra-skinny sidepods that Mercedes introduced between the Barcelona and Bahrain pre-season tests to appreciate the pace of technical change that F1 will experience for at least the first few races of 2022.

2022 Prospects: MERC will be right there once again – but the fight could be even closer and more unpredictable than 2021.

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