Featuring futuristic new cars and closer racing, 2022 will mark the dawn of a new era for Formula One with the sport being transformed this year. Our Grid Guru STEWART BELL explains the seismic changes…
Formula One astonished audiences in 2021, not just with its season-long, edge-of-the-seat fight between two of arguably the greatest Grand Prix drivers of all-time. But, also for the controversial way that Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen defeated Mercedes’ seven-time F1 World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton for his maiden crown at the final round in Abu Dhabi. But, 2022 could be even more thrilling. Despite the ruckus raging on, both inside and out of F1, on whether that contentious ending to last season – in which some of the lapped cars were allowed to unlap under the safety car, for a straight one-lap fight between the two title protagonists with the crown on the line – was fair. Most respected pundits say that it wasn’t, and we agree.
That said, F1’s race director, Australian Michael Masi’s role hangs in the balance, with the sport’s governing body the FIA set to rule on potential changes ahead of the new season. Regardless, the sport is preparing a new era, one with new cars, designed for the first time ever with better racing in mind. To enable closer wheel-to-wheel battles, the new cars will utilise ground effect aerodynamics (under the car) to direct the turbulent air skyward, and not into the path of the chasing car, which has – in the recent modern era – destroyed a driver’s ability to close up, make a move, and overtake.
They’ll also have dramatically different tyres, with the sport switching from 13-inch wheels to more road relevant 18-inch low profile rubber. And reigning F1 World Champion Verstappen is excited for the shift. “The tyres will look completely different with 18-inch [wheels]. [You will get a] different reaction from the tyres as well; I have to adapt my driving [style] to it,” he said ahead of the new season. “It feels a little bit sharper, the reaction of the tyres, and just the general traction that you have out of corners feels a bit different. So I’m interested to see how it’s going to feel in real life.”
And there’s lots of confidence the new cars will be a roaring success, with the project overseen by F1’s managing director of motorsports, Ross Brawn – the mastermind behind Michael Schumacher’s titles at Benetton and Ferrari, and Mercedes’ recent dominance (2014-2020). Former F1 driver-turned Aston Martin simulator pilot Nico Hülkenberg says, however, that the change doesn’t feel monumental – yet.
“They aimed to be a bit slower, more challenging to drive, to have more focus on drivers that can make a difference rather than car performance and aerodynamics dominate,” he said. “From my initial experience, however, the new cars are pretty damn fast and not necessarily slower than the last generation. The driving experience hasn’t changed that much either, at least in the simulator.
“It will be very interesting to see whether these cars can really follow the car in front better. In the simulator, the cornering speeds are extremely high, so the risk of “dirty air” is still given and it’s difficult for me to imagine that following another car comfortably at these speeds will be easy.”
Given the challenge of the new regulations, and importance of consistency, most of the squads have been conservative with their driver line-ups. Seven of the 10 teams remain unchanged, with just one rookie in the field – China’s first-ever F1 racer Guanyu Zhou (pronounced ‘Gwan-you Joe’) at Alfa Romeo. Zhou joins ex-Mercedes racer Valtteri Bottas at the Italian-branded Swiss squad, though the 22-year-year old at Shanghai isn’t lacking F1 seat time, having tested extensively for Renault-turned-Alpine through 2021. He also comes with the big bucks, said to be around $35 million US dollars in sponsorship.
Over at Williams, Alex Albon returns to the grid after a season out as Red Bull’s reserve to replace Mercedes-bound George Russell. The Anglo-Thai racer joins Canadian Nicholas Latifi, who has two years in F1 under his belt. “I’ve had a few days, so I’m not, let’s say, completely out of driving an F1 car,” Albon says. “But, you know, you’re not in it every week like the other [drivers] are. So, with winter testing being so short as well, it will be a bit of a ‘get into it quick and try to adapt’.”
Australia’s focus will, as always, be on Perth-born Daniel Ricciardo – who heads into his second season with McLaren, and is bound for his first home Grand Prix with the team when F1 flies into Melbourne in April. Ricciardo, awarded an AM in the Australia Day honours, needs to properly unleash his pace at the team to cement himself at Woking after a tough 2021. Ricciardo, who led teammate Lando Norris home for an historic one-two result at Monza last year, and his first race win since 2018, initially struggled to adapt to the team’s tricky Mercedes-powered MCL35M, especially the brakes. But, he knows if he can up his game, he can ride the team’s momentum to future world title campaigns – his reason for switching from Renault.
It will be crucial that the Australian adapts, and fast, to the new cars – just as all the other drivers will have to, with an advantage up for grab. It’ll be all eyes on Bahrain with lights out scheduled for March 20. It’s a new era for F1, and a big chance for a new top team and driver to take control.
2022 CALENDAR
F1 is preparing for its toughest-ever calendar, a record 23-races held from March to November – with the brutal campaign kicking-off again in Bahrain. Australia is back on April 10, while there’s a brand-new race in Miami.
1 Bahrain March 20
2 Saudi Arabia March 27
3 Australia April 10
4 Emilia Romagna April 24
5 Miami May 8
6 Spain May 22
7 Monaco May 29
8 Azerbaijan June 12
9 Canada June 19
10 Great Britain July 3
11 Austria July 10
12 France July 24
13 Hungary July 31
14 Belgium August 28
15 The Netherlands September 4
16 Italy September 11
17 Russia September 25
18 Singapore October 2
19 Japan October 9
20 United States October 23
21 Mexico October 30
22 Brazil November 13
23 Abu Dhabi November 20
FANT-ASIA: SUPER SINGAPORE
Formula One makes its long-awaited return to Singapore this October for the sport’s original night race, with a new seven-year deal to keep the celebrated event at Marina Bay until at least 2028, ensuring that the party continues for a whole new generation of fans. “After more than a decade of celebrating this spectacular event on the racing calendar, we are looking forward to building on its success and working with Formula 1 as well as its partners to take the night race to greater heights,” said Mr Ong Beng Seng of Singapore GP.
The event is a hugely popular one for Australians, and its recent confirmation came at the perfect time – with all of us looking to book our first international trips, and get back to having fun, after an challenging two years living with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Singapore is the place to be in October, with the city-state pumping in Grand Prix week. While the event promises more than just the pinnacle of motorsport, with fantastic hospitality and local cuisine, lots to see and do around the circuit, and a history of bringing in the hottest music acts. In 2019 a gigantic line-up including Muse, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gwen Stefani, and Swedish House Mafia topping the bill, entertained the massive crowd. In previous years, we’ve seen acts like The Killers, Dua Lipa, Calvin Harris, Ariana Grande, Queen + Adam Lambert, Imagine Dragons, Bon Jovi, Pharrell Williams, and more.
Beyond the track, Singapore is a dream to get around and the city-state is world-renowned for its cuisine, celebrating its Malay, Indian and Chinese heritage. You cannot go wrong, whether you’re booking five-star or budget, and all with just a seven-hour flight from Sydney or Melbourne, or five from Perth. Go for it!
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