2022 - A Look Ahead

Red Bull and Mercedes 2022 F1 cars fail FIA crash tests
Editor (Grandprix247)
30 January, 2022

The Italian branch of Motorsport reported that Red Bull’s RB18 has failed the front FIA mandatory homologations crash test, and that may be the reason why the Milton Keynes outfit are yet to announce a date for their 2022 F1 machine.

The publication also reported that Mercedes’ W13 has faced the same fate and failed the side impact test, and thus the 2022 F1 cars for both of last season’s title rivals are yet to be homologated by the FIA.

Like the Red Bull RB18, the report claims that the W13 (of Mercedes) will also have a long wheel base close to the 3,600mm regulation limit, to extract maximum downforce from the car’s Venturi channels.

MORE details;

https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/01...a-crash-tests/


Mercedes reportedly join Red Bull in failing crash test
Date published: January 30 2022 - Henry Valantine

The teams have been hard at work to finalise the designs of their car ahead of the new era of Formula 1, which Mercedes design boss James Allison says sees the biggest regulation changes in the sport’s history take effect.

“It has been incredibly hard,” Allison said on a video posted by the team.

“Very challenging, and long, to get our heads around this and to try to figure out what the best response is to these regulations, and where the opportunity is to be found in order to put a car on the track in a few short weeks from now, that gives us a chance of being competitive right from the beginning.”

https://www.planetf1.com/news/merced...22-crash-test/


Red Bull reportedly unfazed after failing frontal crash test
Date published: January 30 2022 - Michelle Foster

The Italian edition of Motorsport.com reports that the car “would not have passed the earlier crash test for chassis homologation.

“At Cranfield, where the British teams converge for dynamic tests, Red Bull would have registered a failure in the front of the car that would force Milton Keynes’s team to review the ability to absorb energy from the nose and the chassis in the front.”

Many pundits are predicting Red Bull, with Newey at the helm – a designer famously said to be able to “see air” – could have an advantage over the chasing pack with the new regulations.

Further information;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/red-bu...al-crash-test/


Aston Martin deny claim they may miss Barcelona test
Date published: January 30 2022 - Michelle Foster

Aston Martin have rubbished a report that their 2022 challenger won’t be on track at the Spanish test, saying “we will be ready”.

A spokesman for the team told Speedweek.com: “Work on our 2022 vehicle is making good progress and we will be ready for the first winter test in Barcelona.”

https://www.planetf1.com/news/aston-...arcelona-test/

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by F1nKS

These couple headlines don't bode well for Aston Martin. I guess somebody has to finish last, might as well be Aston Martin.

---

I think they have already squashed the info as rumors, and expect to be ready for testing without issues.

Ferrari's 2022 F1 car set for airbox tweak
Ferrari will unveil its 2022 challenger on the 17th February and it could change tact in a notable design area.
By: Matthew Somerfield
Co-author: Giorgio Piola
Jan 30, 2022, 11:46 AM

According to rumours filtering in from Maranello, the team could return to a triangular shaped airbox, without the two horns that set the SF21 apart from the rest last season.

However, with the shape of the sidepods having to undergo an extensive redesign for 2022 it may have opted to repackage the various radiators and electronics housed around the power unit and in the sidepods.

Further information on Ferrari ‘tweaking’ and redesigns;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...tweak/7734296/


Ferrari explain "no compromise" 2022 approach
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has explained "no compromises" have been made with the team's 2022 car as the Scuderia eye "long-term" success.
GP Fans
Sam Hall
Sunday 30 January 2022 17:30

F1 raced to a budget cap for the first time last season with Ferrari electing to stop development early to focus on the coming year, compromising 2021 to ensure no such compromise in '22.

"As Ferrari, as first, we identified 2022 as our top priority, so no compromises have been done in developing the 2022 cars. The reason for putting 2022 as a top priority is, I think, quite straight and obvious.”

More Ferrari;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/74...2022-approach/


New rules could mean rapid design convergence, warns Ferrari
Ferrari racing director Laurent Mekies has suggested that all Formula 1 cars could look more or less the same as soon as next season, as a result of the new technical regulations being introduced.
Andrew Lewin30/01/2022 at 11:33

“There is less freedom, definitely,” Mekies said. “We are all excited, because it’s going to be completely different compared to last year. But how different will the cars be from each other? We will see.

"The first go at it, we may see enough difference to our liking, all of us," he continued. "I think the first go at it, you say: 'Okay that’s not too bad.'

Further Ferrari analysis;

https://f1i.com/news/431080-new-rule...s-ferrari.html


Ferrari drivers happy with 'wake up call' run at Fiorano
The Scuderia had initially programmed a four-day test using its 2021 car but a confusion over Formula 1's sporting regulations forced the team to dust off and roll out its 2018-spec SF71H and reduce its schedule to three days.
Phillip van Osten28/01/2022 at 07:41

"At the moment, like all the other drivers in fact, we are working in the simulator or training really hard in the gym," commented Sainz. However, when it comes to demands placed on the body, nothing can match actually being in the car.”

"That’s why, being able to drive before the start of the season, no matter in what car, is always very useful for a driver. It gives your body a wake-up call, reminding you what it means to be a Formula 1 driver."

More about the Ferrari ‘wake up call’;

https://f1i.com/news/430972-ferrari-...t-fiorano.html


Sainz: Driving at Fiorano is always special
Editor
29 January, 2022

Carlos Sainz feels that driving at Fiorano is always special, after he concluded his driving duties in the private test held at the Ferrari-owned circuit, and that was rounded off in Friday.

Sainz said at the end of his test: “Exactly one year ago, I drove a Ferrari for the first time, and I have to say that, even if a lot of things have changed, given that I now know everyone and I feel really at home, driving here is always special.
“I was very happy to see so many of our fans watching from outside the track, which is why I wanted to go and say hello to them when I’d finished my session.”

Scuderia Ferrari insights;

https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/01...lways-special/

Alonso unsure what 'El Plan' means as Alpine eyes F1 success
Ben Issatt, 27 January 2022
Insider Racing.

Fernando Alonso admits even he doesn't know exactly what 'El Plan' is.

Throughout the year (2021), Alonso became associated with 'El Plan' and it gained something of a cult following, even appearing on the rear wings of the cars in Abu Dhabi.

“It’s a good question, I started to see it too,” Alonso was quoted by Soymotor.com when asked about the trend on Spanish TV.

“It’s one of the things that social media networks have now. They started with ‘El Plan’, ‘El Plan’, ‘El Plan’ and, it’s a bad thing to say, but I don’t know what ‘El Plan’ is either.

“I think it’s part of ‘El Plan’ that I don’t know exactly what ‘El Plan’ is. You will have to bet. That’s ‘El Plan’…to scare without knowing.”

Details of ‘El Plan’;

https://www.insideracing.com/formula...yes-f1-success


Two big questions for Alpine in 2022: Can Alonso boost his team up the grid?
Formula 1 Feature.
29 January 2022
Will Alonso’s experience pay dividends as new regulations come on song?

Now the oldest driver on the grid, Fernando Alonso returned to F1 in 2021 after two years away. The two-time champion put in some crucial performances last season, most notably his staunch defence against Lewis Hamilton in Hungary, which ensured team mate Esteban Ocon would go on to win the race – and followed that up with a podium finish in Qatar.

Not only will the Spaniard’s influence in developing the car be a crucial factor – he’s competed through a number of big F1 rules changes, including the massive overhaul in 2009 and the dawn of the turbo-hybrid era in 2014 – but his own experience in adapting to those rules changes will help him hit the ground running.

More on Fernando Alonso experience and ‘boost’ effects;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...lFLoKpQeH.html


Alonso back to ‘normal’ after surgery
ANDREW MAITLAND
JANUARY 26, 2022

It is full speed ahead for Fernando Alonso as he recovers well from his recent facial surgery. Throughout 2021, the 40-year-old carried the titanium remnants of his surgery with him following a pre-season cycling crash ahead of his return to Formula 1.

After the season ended, he returned to hospital to have those remnants removed from his mouth and jaw – and his recovery has proceeded well.

https://grandpx.news/alonso-back-to-...after-surgery/


Alpine to unveil 2022 car two days before first F1 test
Alpine will roll out its all-new A522 charger on February 21, just two days before the start of Formula 1's pre-season testing in Barcelona.
Michael Delaney26/01/2022 at 14:10

The Enstone squad heads into the 2022 season on the back of a maiden campaign under its new Alpine identity that yielded a milestone win in Hungary thanks to Esteban Ocon and fifth place in F1's Constructors' Championship.

While the French outfit's line-up remains unchanged with Ocon and teammate Fernando Alonso, the team has yet to announce the new members of its upper management that will answer to Alpine chief executive Laurent Rossi.

https://f1i.com/news/430900-alpine-t...t-f1-test.html


Alpine’s F1 team has something it sorely lacked as Renault
Jan 22 2022
By Scott Mitchell
The Alpine Formula 1 team is not currently an advert for stability.

One year on from the rebranding of Renault’s works team, three senior members of its management have left – engine technical director Remi Taffin, executive director and de facto team principal Marcin Budkowski, and non-executive director Alain Prost.

here’s probably been more upheaval in the first 12 months of the Alpine era than the five years the team spent badged as Renault.

This team wouldn’t be called Alpine if Renault had full faith in its own F1 factory project.

'El Plan' speculation, maybe explained here!!!

https://the-race.com/formula-1/alpin...ed-as-renault/

Wolff warned ‘be careful what you wish for’ as questions about Masi replacement raised
Fans of Sir Lewis Hamilton are calling for Formula 1 race director Michael Masi to be axed after the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
by James Clifford (Formula1News.co.uk)
29 January 202229 January 2022

Earlier this month, it was reported that Mercedes had agreed a “quid pro quo” with the FIA that will result in the Australian being replaced as race director prior to the 2022 Formula 1 season commencing in March. However, the Silver Arrows have reportedly denied striking any such deal with the FIA.

https://formula1news.co.uk/wolff-war...cement-raised/


FIA provide update on Michael Masi's future amid Mercedes' push for his sacking
Michael Masi's future as FIA race director has been up in the air ever since the dramatic and controversial ending to the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi, which saw Max Verstappen pip Lewis Hamilton to the title
By Liam Llewellyn
Sports Trends Writer
17:11, 31 Jan 2022

Recent reports have suggested that Hamilton is said to be waiting until the review is finished before deciding whether or not to continue racing.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff admitted that Hamilton was left "disillusioned" with F1 following the end to the 2021 season, and BBC Sport also reported that one senior source said Mercedes only dropped their Abu Dhabi appeal on the basis that Masi would be sacked.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...cedes-26098879


FIA strongly warned against using Masi as ‘sacrificial lamb’ after Abu Dhabi controversy
Max Verstappen beat Sir Lewis Hamilton to the 2021 championship in controversial fashion.
by Rob Kershaw
27 January 202227 January 2022

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was on the radio to Masi to tell him that the finish was “so not right,” before the Brackley-based team would eventually drop an appeal against the championship classification.

The FIA have begun an investigation into what happened in the four minutes between Masi’s contradictory decisions. Since then, the Silver Arrows have reportedly denied reports that the rescindment was contingent on the dismissal of Masi and FIA head of single-seater technical matters Nikolas Tombazis.

https://formula1news.co.uk/brundle-w...rificial-lamb/


Masi made the ‘right decision’ despite it being not a ‘great call’ for Hamilton
Romain Grosjean maintains that Max Verstappen won the world championship over the course of the whole season, not just the final round in Abu Dhabi.
by Rob Kershaw
25 January 202225 January 2022

“There’s a few ways of seeing it, it would have been very strange to not unlap those cars and have Lewis first and then Max four [five] cars behind over one lap for the World Championship,” he told reporters during an Indy 500 press conference.

“On the other hand, for Lewis it was definitely not a great call, but as a TV fan, as a spectator, for the sport, I think Michael Masi make the right decision.”

“I don’t think the championship would have been nice to finish under the Safety Car,” he affirmed. “It would not have been nice to finish with the guys being separated on track being first and second separated by a few cars.”

https://formula1news.co.uk/masi-righ...call-hamilton/


New VAR-style system on the way for Formula 1?
Date published: January 29 2022 - Mark Scott

Brace yourself…for video assistant referees (VAR), or a modified version of it, could form part of Formula 1’s plans to reform in 2022.

The clock is ticking on the FIA and Formula 1 to agree and implement changes on how the sport is to be governed and refereed in future following the hugely controversial title finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December 2021.

One element that looks almost certain is the introduction of a new structure that will take all of the responsibilities of the race director and spread them out across multiple people rather than just one person being solely in charge.

And, according to German publication Motorsport-Magazin, that structure could include a central hub of video assistants that will help advise Race Control throughout a Formula 1 race week, much like a panel of officials do in football, feeding back and advising to the referees in the thick of the action.

Further analysis;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/new-va...-in-formula-1/

7 key rule changes for the 2022 season
Special contributor: Chris Medland
Formula 1 Feature

Brand new cars have been an area of major focus for the teams over the past 12 months, and we’ll soon see them in action when pre-season testing gets underway. But that’s not the only thing that is different this year compared to last season, and there is plenty more to look out for when it comes to changes in 2022.

1. Frozen power units

2. A return to a two-part pre-season test

3. A tightening of aerodynamic testing restrictions

4. A lower budget cap level

5. A new weekend format

6. Mandatory practice outings for rookies

7. New tyre regulations

More details;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...xxw6r5yDS.html


The 25 most influential people in Formula 1
‎Author Dieter Rencken
27‎ ‎January‎ ‎11‎:‎00

RacingNews365.com presents its first-ever 'Power List' ahead of the 2022 F1 season, capturing the most powerful and influential people involved in the sport today.

In formulating the first RacingNews365 'Power List' we applied two criteria: the levels of power and influence individuals have to disrupt Formula 1, for better or worse. Five senior journalists submitted their respective top 10 lists based on the above parameters; these were tallied, distilled, obvious anomalies purified, and our Top 25 arrived at.

In depth analysis;

https://racingnews365.com/the-25-mos...e-in-formula-1


Norris on why he's 'happy and confident' to be a mental health pioneer in Formula 1
24 January 2022

McLaren’s Lando Norris has spoken about tackling the unwarranted stigma surrounding those who open up about their mental health, with the 22-year-old having said that he’s “proud” to be an athlete that stands up for those who are struggling.

Norris has spoken candidly about his own mental health struggles, particularly those that hit him hard during his 2019 debut season. The Briton, along with team mate Daniel Ricciardo and other members of the McLaren team, has also been proactive in working with the squad’s chosen mental health charity Mind.

Further details;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...sGUIn2ZHb.html


Feature
DIARY DATES: The 2022 F1 calendar, pre-season testing and car launch schedule
14 January 2022

Aston Martin February 10

McLaren February 11

AlphaTauri February 14

Ferrari February 17

Mercedes February 18

Alpine February 21

Details found here;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...7YlNWypNf.html


Formula 1 Feature
2022 F1 GRID: All the drivers and teams racing this season
05 January 2022

Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton – #44
George Russell – #63

Red Bull
Max Verstappen – #1
Sergio Perez – #11

Ferrari
Charles Leclerc – #16
Carlos Sainz – #55

McLaren
Daniel Ricciardo – #3
Lando Norris – #4

Alpine
Fernando Alonso – #14
Esteban Ocon – #31

AlphaTauri
Pierre Gasly – #10
Yuki Tsunoda – #22

Aston Martin
Sebastian Vettel – #5
Lance Stroll – #18

Williams
Nicholas Latifi – #6
Alex Albon – #23

Alfa Romeo
Zhou Guanyu – #24
Valtteri Bottas – #77

Haas
Nikita Mazepin – #9
Mick Schumacher – #47

Further details;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...9GNMZcE5m.html

Felipe Massa ‘not surprised’ by Ferrari’s downfall in Formula One
Ferrari last won the world championship in 2007
Sarah Rendell
01 Feb 2022, 11:31

“That did not surprise me,” he told Spanish daily AS. “Ferrari’s best years were with [Michael] Schumacher, then 2006, 2007, 2008.”

“After 2009, Ferrari was no longer the team of the hour. There have been many changes and it is important to keep a cool head. That is difficult at Ferrari.”

Difficulties about keeping a cool head at Ferrari;

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-b2004256.html


Massa ‘not surprised’ by Ferrari’s decline
Date published: January 31 2022 - Michelle Foster

He (Massa) added: “Ferrari’s problem is not a driver problem, it’s a car problem, a team problem. Sainz and Leclerc form a very important driver pairing.”

Looking ahead to this season and its all-new cars, Massa reckons Formula 1 will most likely again witness a Red Bull versus Mercedes battle for the big prizes. But, he adds, Ferrari and McLaren will likely get involved.

“If there are big changes there can be surprises, although that’s difficult,” he said. “I think the big teams will still be at the top, like Mercedes and Red Bull. But maybe also Ferrari or McLaren. Usually the big teams are more likely to start the year at the top.”

https://www.planetf1.com/news/felipe...rrari-decline/


Two big questions for Ferrari in 2022: Can the Scuderia hit the ground running as F1’s new era gets under way?
31 January 2022

Will Ferrari shake off their chequered ‘new regulation’ history?

Two of F1’s biggest regulation overhauls in recent years – namely 2009 and 2014 – did not got well for Ferrari.

Can the Scuderia return to their form of 2019?

Singapore 2019 was the last time a Ferrari took a victory in Formula 1, the team enjoying a purple 'post-summer break' patch that year that saw them take six poles on the bounce, and win three races. Getting back to that level of performance – of the red cars turning up at a race weekend and being counted among the favourites – is where Ferrari would dearly love to find themselves in 2022.

Questions, questions… …speculation;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...A8k3El7Yl.html


Horner: ‘If Ferrari crush us in the first race, you can say we suffered’ from 2021 title battle
Red Bull are optimistic that they will remain competitive in 2022 after the major changes to the technical regulations.
by Rob Kershaw
1 February 20221 February 2022

Team principal Christian Horner is not sure where the regulation changes will leave Red Bull in the standings next season, and jovially suggested that being beaten by Ferrari would display their frailties after 2021’s titanic championship fight.

“If Ferrari will come out with the fastest car and crush us all in the first race, you can certainly say that we have suffered from the intense title battle,” he joked.

https://formula1news.co.uk/horner-fe...-title-battle/


CMA CGM’s CEVA Logistics becomes official partner of Ferrari
By Antonis Karamalegkos
January 26, 2022

CEVA Logistics will provide all logistics support services for the Scuderia Ferrari cars and equipment for Grand Prix events, as well as for the GT racing series and other Ferrari Challenge events.

As a team partner of Scuderia Ferrari, CEVA Logistics will have its logo featured on the new 2022 Scuderia Ferrari single seater, as well as on team trucks and driver and pit crew equipment and apparel.

https://container-news.com/cma-cgms-...er-of-ferrari/

Mercedes respond to claims Lewis Hamilton's 2022 car failed FIA crash test
Reigning constructors' champions Mercedes have reacted to reports that Lewis Hamilton's new W13 car for the upcoming 2022 season had failed its FIA safety crash test.
By Fraser Watson
Sports Trends Writer
12:22, 1 Feb 2022

Mercedes have issued a strong rebuttal to claims that Lewis Hamilton's car failed a crash test in the lead up to the 2022 F1 season.

Team members have been working vigorously on their new W13 vehicle, as they seek to adapt to major changes in regulations ahead of the opening race of the season in Bahrain on March 20.

However, a report that first appeared in the Italian version of Motorsport.com claimed that the Silver Arrows, the constructors' champions for the past eight seasons, had this month failed the crash test last on the side of the car.

Mercedes have now clarified the rumours though, by issuing a statement confirming their W13 model "completed its FIA homologation process on January 13 2022."

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...-test-26105260


Mercedes quash failed FIA crash test claim, Red Bull rumour remains
Mercedes has quickly quashed a claim that their 2022 Formula 1 car failed an FIA crash test.
Ben Issatt
Formula 1
01 February 2022

On Sunday, a report by Motorsport Italy stated the Brackley-based team had attempted to pass an extreme design concept for the W13 but had fallen foul of a side impact test.

As a result, Mercedes had to "resort to Plan B" for the car which will be officially launched and shaken down at Silverstone on February 18.

On Monday, however, the team took a cheeky dig at the rumour with a tweet confirming the W13 had been given the green light by the FIA in mid-January.

https://www.insideracing.com/formula...rumour-remains


Mercedes denies failing 2022 crash test
ANDREW MAITLAND
FEBRUARY 1, 2022

“The new chassis will be around twice as strong on the side as compared to before,” FIA technical boss and well-respected F1 car designer Nikolas Tombazis told Auto Motor und Sport.

“The energy that needs to be absorbed has increased by about 80 percent,” he added. “We are researching how this value can be increased in the future.”

https://grandpx.news/mercedes-denies...22-crash-test/


Formula 1: Top Mercedes figure outlines 'huge challenge' teams face with new 2022 regulations
By George Dagless
Published: 01 Feb 2022, 12:32

Mercedes Technical Director Mike Elliott has explained how the new cars for 2022 will be dramatically different from 2021 and previous seasons, with him stating that it has been a huge challenge for the Silver Arrows, and every team, to meet the new regulations.

“I think the most visible difference will be the aerodynamic shape of the car. Not only are the aerodynamics different, but the whole way the regulations are constructed is completely different.”

“With such a significant aerodynamic change pretty much all the components underneath the skin of the car need to change.”

Further technical analysis;

https://www.givemesport.com/1831703-...22-regulations


Mercedes sees performance of new cars 'relatively similar' to 2021
Mercedes technical director Mike Elliott believes there will be little performance difference between this year's cars and last season's machines, although they will look very different.
Phillip van Osten31/01/2022 at 17:51

Elliott sees the performance of F1's new-spec cars as being "relatively similar" to their predecessors.

"The overall performance of the new cars is probably not going to be very different from the old," Elliott said in a special video released by Mercedes on its YouTube channel.

"Obviously the intention of these regulations was to try and improve overtaking, and it will be a little bit of time before we can see whether that's actually happened.

"The car is a bit heavier, the power unit on the E10 fuel is going to perform slightly differently, and the way the aerodynamics are going to work and the set-up of the car that goes with it will be different as well. Until we get the best out of that, until we've developed that through testing and the first few races, we're not really going to know.”

https://f1i.com/news/431140-mercedes...r-to-2021.html

Honda: Recovering lost power due to E10 fuel 'difficult'.
Honda says F1's switch this season to E10 fuel has led to a loss of power for its engine that it is struggling to recover, and the Japanese manufacturer reckons its rivals are facing a similar challenge.
Michael Delaney02/02/2022 at 08:2302/02/2022 at 09:04

The fuel switch has impacted the new engines' performance, but just how much power output has been lost due to the change is a closely guarded secret according to Honda's power unit manager Yasuaki Asagi.

"That's a secret," said the Japanese engineer, quoted by Motorsport.com. "It seems that other companies say it's about the same but, on the contrary, making such an announcement means that it's difficult to get the same power as last year."

Further information;

https://f1i.com/news/431191-honda-re...difficult.html


Rivals downplaying impact of 2022 F1 fuel, says Honda
By: Jonathan Noble
Co-author: Ken Tanaka
Jan 30, 2022, 8:52 AM

Honda believes that other Formula 1 manufacturers are deliberately playing down the difficulty all of them are facing in recovering power lost due to a switch to more sustainable fuel.

(Honda’s Yasuaki) Asagi said that the challenge of the new fuel had not been easy, although there were some hidden benefits from the change.

“The response to E10 fuel is the largest [challenge],” he said. “The engine architecture had already been set (with the new 2021 power unit) so we have made changes to bring out the best performance with E10 fuel.

"When it comes to E10 fuel, the power and energy that it has with the same weight are reduced. That is the characteristic of alcohol fuel.

Further technical details;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/r...honda/7732959/


No, Honda Says It Hasn’t Agreed to New Red Bull F1 Engine Deal Past 2022.
Reports last week claimed a deal was made through 2025, though Honda tells us that's not the case.
BY HAZEL SOUTHWELL JANUARY 31, 2022

When that quote came out, some outlets reported it as gospel that what Marko said was happening. The Drive reached out to both Red Bull and Honda to check in on the story, though, which seems far from set in stone.

For its part, Red Bull downplayed the story and told me that nothing was agreed despite Marko's comments. Honda got back to me to confirm that "Honda will support Red Bull Powertrains in building the 2022 PU and also provide trackside and race operation support from HRC throughout the 2022 season. And we received a request from Red Bull to extend the period, however we have not yet decided at the moment."

More detail;

https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator...deal-past-2022


HOW CHANGED RED BULL-HONDA F1 DEAL WILL WORK FROM 2022
Jan 26 2022
By Scott Mitchell

Next month the first Red Bull-badged Formula 1 engine will hit the track for the first time. But it is a Red Bull engine only in name. It has also long been known that Honda planned to develop that 2021 F1 engine in the background, so Red Bull could inherit an up-to-date specification from 2022.

This was vital for two reasons. First, an engine development freeze is coming in two phases – the internal combustion engine, MGU-H, turbocharger, fuel and oil specifications will be frozen from March 1 and the MGU-K, energy store and control electronics from September 1.

Second, and linked to this, is that F1 fuels are changing for this season with the increase from a 5% biofuel component to 10%. This has caused a power deficit of around 20bhp for all manufacturers according to Ferrari and required adjustments to re-optimise the internal combustion engine.

Further interesting technical details;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/how-c...ork-from-2022/


THE CONSEQUENCES OF HONDA’S LACK OF F1 COMMITMENT
Jan 23 2022
By Scott Mitchell

The four eras are Honda’s first works entry as a constructor (1964-1968); its first dedicated stint as an engine supplier in which it won titles with Williams and McLaren (1983-1992); returning as a works engine manufacturer before taking full ownership of its partner team BAR (2000-2008); and the V6 turbo-hybrid era that began with McLaren and ended with Red Bull (2015-2021).

Whichever way the four eras are viewed, they show Honda never had a consistent idea of how best to be represented in F1 and that it cannot be trusted to stick around.

Further discussion;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/the-c...f1-commitment/

Why F1 2022 could be the most exciting season ever.
With huge changes being made to the F1 rulebook for 2022, our journalists Dieter Rencken, Mike Seymour and Thomas Maher look ahead to the new season.
Author Thomas Maher
5‎ ‎January‎ ‎11‎:‎30

Which teams and drivers could spring an upset in the new season? Analysing the changes for 2022 are F1 journalists Dieter Rencken, Mike Seymour and Thomas Maher, who offer their thoughts and predictions ahead of car launches and pre-season testing.

Audio link found here;

https://racingnews365.com/why-f1-202...ng-season-ever


FIA expects ‘more exciting’ 2022 F1 season with ‘more cars in the mix’ for Grand Prix wins
Teams like Alfa Romeo and Haas could have more race wins under their belt this season
Sarah Rendell
Friday, 21st Jan 2022. 14:10

“It is difficult to expect it to be more exciting than [2021] because that is a very high point of reference,” said Tombazis, quoted by Autosport. “But I think once there’s a bit of convergence, I think there will be more cars in the mix and I think that would be positive.

“When I was looking at some old championships, I read recently we once had 11 winners in a year and you could win a championship with a few wins. I’m not saying we will get to that point, but of course I think to have more variability would be good.

More exciting expections;

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-b1997937.html


Formula 1: Toto Wolff predicting new race winners in exciting comments about sport's next era
By George Dagless
Published: 21 Jan 2022, 10:35

Toto Wolff, though, is suggesting that with the budget cap and new technical guidance, things are going to close right up and get more competitive – which can only be a good thing:

“I believe that the budget cap will bring a lot of things into line,” Wolff told Auto Motor und Sport. “If one finds a loophole and runs away with it, everyone will copy it. The cars will all be very similar. There may still be differences in the first year.”

“After that it will even out. There will no longer be a team that is a second ahead. Of course, the teams that had deep pockets were not particularly happy about the fact that an advantage was taken away from us.”

More on Toto Wolff predictions;

https://www.givemesport.com/1825000-...ports-next-era


NEXT GEN: 20 of the most exciting up-and-coming talents on the road to F1
F2 & F3 editor
Craig Draycott
22 January 2022

From karting sensations to Formula 1-ready racers, and all of the budding junior talent in between, we look at 20 of the hottest prospects striving to make it to F1, ranked in descending order according to their age – and detail why, and where, you should be watching them in 2022.

Formula 1 exciting prospects;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...4FlQezFC6.html


The data that suggests Carlos Sainz should be Ferrari's No1 driver
F1
January 17th 2022
Carlos Sainz finished ahead in the drivers' championship but did Charles Leclerc have the better season? This is what the stats say

Which of the Ferrari duo had the better 2021 season? It's tough to call...

Ferrari has two of Formula 1’s biggest talents under one roof in Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. The former is a grand prix winner with the Prancing Horse already while the latter’s arrival at Maranello has been mightily impressive.

‘Stats’ and discussion;

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...m-mate-battle#