2022 - A Look Ahead

[Fortitude]

McLaren staff ‘venting’ about 2022 F1 calendar
Date published: December 26 2021 - Jon Wilde

Daniel Ricciardo’s performance coach says some “venting” has occurred at McLaren about the hectic nature of next year’s record 23-race F1 calendar.

In 2022, the second half of the season after the summer break features two more triple-headers which are back-to-back, meaning six races in seven weeks – the first, of Belgium/Netherlands/Italy, looking a comparative doddle to Russia/Singapore/Japan that follows after only one weekend off.

Michael Italiano, who has worked as Ricciardo’s performance coach since the end of the 2017 season, says certain McLaren staff are not exactly relishing what has been laid out for them in 2022.

“There’s been a bit of venting in the garage about next year,” Italiano told Express Sport.

“I think there are three triple-headers and only three races that are on their own – the rest are double-headers.

“We start in February but finish in mid-November, so that’s earlier, but we are still doing one extra race. They have condensed the season.

https://www.planetf1.com/news/mclare...2022-calendar/


Ferrari’s 2021 recovery puts team on path to “final objective” – Binotto
2022 F1 season
Posted on
26th December 2021, 11:4526th December 2021, 11:14 | Written by Dieter Rencken and Will Wood

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto says the team’s recovery in the 2021 season provides a solid foundation to chase their “final objective” of clinching its first world championship since 2008.

Following a miserable 2020 season in which the team slumped to sixth in the constructors’ championship – Ferrari’s worst finishing position for 40 years – they improved significantly in 2021 to take third place behind Mercedes and Red Bull.

https://www.racefans.net/2021/12/26/...ctive-binotto/


Red Bull success no temptation for Honda backtracking
Sam Hall
Thursday 23 December 2021 17:00

Honda F1 managing director Masashi Yamamoto has revealed there were 'never discussions' to reconsider its exit from the sport despite Red Bull's 2021 success.

Honda will leave F1 at the end of the season, bringing to an end a brief seven-year stint that began with McLaren in 2015.

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/73...-backtracking/

[F1nKS]

2021 Top 10 Drivers as picked by the Drivers

1. Max
2. Lewis
3. Lando
4. Sainz
5. Leclerc
6. Alonso
7. Gasly
8. Russell
9. Ocon
10. Schumacher

[Fortitude]

Will Rich Energy return to Formula 1 in 2022?
Rich Energy founder William Storey has claimed that the energy drinks brand will return to Formula 1 as a sponsor in 2022.
by James Clifford
2 January 20222 January 2022

Is Rich Energy making a comeback in 2022?

In January 2021, Storey claimed that Rich Energy would be returning to the pinnacle of motorsport, in what he described as “the greatest comeback since Lazarus.”

“F1 incoming. The best energy drink in the world mounting the greatest comeback since Lazarus. Premium British performance,” Storey wrote in a tweet in early January 2021.

“But a friend of ours has agreed a deal for a majority stake in a Formula 1 team, and we will become a partner of that team for 2021. Once that acquisition is announced, we will become the title sponsor for 2022.

“I’m really looking forward to competing with our competitors on-track, I’ll be at the first race, March 28, in Bahrain,” he concluded.

https://formula1news.co.uk/rich-ener...ormula-1-2022/


Formula 1 Wraps Up Historic 2021 Season

The 2021 Formula 1 season marked the best year yet for the iconic racing series, which has exploded in popularity since Netflix debuted “Drive to Survive” in 2019.

Liberty Media acquired F1 for $4.6 billion in 2017 from private equity firm CVC Capital and has since led the motorsports business to a meteoric rise.

• Across ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC, F1 averaged 934,000 viewers per race in 2021, a 54% increase year-over-year and its most-watched season yet.

• The 2021 season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on ESPN2 averaged 963,000 viewers, compared to an average of 523,000 viewers for last year’s finale.

• The most-watched race came in October at the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, which averaged 1.2 million viewers on ABC.

• In June, the racing series announced a five-year, $100 million global partnership with Crypto.com.

https://frontofficesports.com/formul...c-2021-season/


F1 2021 Abu Dhabi final lap battle, mashup
Dec 29, 2021

It's all in this one lap. Awesome.

Jean Costa
Man, this is a masterpiece. I've seen all those clips individually, but bringing them all together really makes it something so interesting to watch! Good job!

Paul T
Love it or hate it, NO ONE can deny that this was the most exciting last lap of any f1 race and season finale for years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJjiz8yXf0E


Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen: Petition about season finale hits 40,000 signatures
By Neil Leverett
Published: 30 Dec 2021, 12:01

A petition for Lewis Hamilton to be crowned 2021 Formula 1 world champion after the event has now passed 40,000 signatures.

The conclusion of this season's most remarkable of campaigns is now almost three weeks past, but as the final bell tolls on another year, it seems F1 fans are not yet prepared to go quietly into 2022.

https://www.givemesport.com/1810274-...000-signatures

[Fortitude]

RED BULL IN COURT OVER FALLOWS’ DEPARTURE
02/02/2022
Chelsea Bailey

Red Bull and departing aero chief Dan Fallows have made their first court appearance about the nature of Fallows’ exit from the team.

Dan Fallows was announced as Aston Martin’s new Technical Director for 2022, back in June 2021.

However, Red Bull indicated that they would not be letting him depart without serving an enforced period of notice.

Fallows accepted the offer from Aston Martin, with a desired start date of January 1st, 2022.

According to Red Bull, Fallows’ contract states that he has to serve a six-month notice period, which can only be triggered on December 31st, 2022 at the earliest.

This would mean that he wouldn’t be able to join Aston Martin until July 1st, 2023.

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/re...ows-departure/


Timetable for VW F1 entry revealed by boss
January 2, 2022 · by thejudge13

The Germans Mick Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel are already competing in the pinnacle of motorsport that is F1. In addition, Mercedes is a German team in Formula 1, but another could follow in the form of VW (VAG Group).

And Hamilton’s team could have more competition in the future – this time from Germany. It is possible that VW will join the paddock, with the fact being revealed by Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali in an interview with Germany’s “Sport1” publication.

Revealing the likely timetable for their entry, the former Ferrari boss said:

“I think we have an important month ahead of us regarding the decision of the Volkswagen Group. Getting involved would be great, but I can’t speak on behalf of VW. I was part of this incredible group for a few years and I know how hard they are working on the future,”

https://thejudge13.com/2022/01/02/ti...ealed-by-boss/


Bottas reveals mental blow when first asked to support Hamilton
Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale
Monday 3 January 2022 08:00

Valtteri Bottas has revealed the mental blow he suffered in being asked to play a supporting role to Lewis Hamilton for the first time at Mercedes.

After five years with the F1 constructors' champions, the Finn has now left the Silver Arrows to link up with Alfa Romeo where his new task is to spearhead a charge up the grid for the ninth-best team from 2021 alongside Chinese rookie Guanyu Zhou.

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/74...port-hamilton/


Incredulous Hamilton ignores president, Verstappen zero sympathy
January 2, 2022 · by thejudge13

The new FIA president has no response from Lewis Hamilton despite several attempts to personally contact him. In what can only be described as an incredulous act of non-acceptance, Lewis Hamilton remains in hiding, rudely ignoring communication attempts from all.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the new president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), told journalists at the Dakar that he had tried to contact Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time F1 world champion did not respond to his requests.

Jean Todt’s successor demands to hear the Mercedes driver’s explanation for his absence from the FIA’s end of year gala, which he was obliged to attend as runner-up in the world championship.

“I think he is not 100 per cent ready to respond at the moment.” says the new president, but concedes graciously that he “I understand his position,” he said.

Hamilton and his Mercedes boss Toto Wolff have reached new heights of self-importance, thinking that their pain is above the sport. To be clear, they both believe the British driver was unfairly stripped of the world title after the Abu Dhabi GP on December 12th. Both decided not to travel to Paris two days later to show their displeasure to the world.

https://thejudge13.com/2022/01/02/in...zero-sympathy/


New FIA President confident Hamilton will return in 2022
03/01/2021
Mohammed Ben Sulayem says he trusts that Lewis Hamilton will return to his Mercedes cockpit for the 2022 F1 season.
Author Thomas Maher

Newly elected FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem says he's sure that Lewis Hamilton will return to race in Formula 1 in 2022, despite the seven-time World Champion's radio silence since title defeat on the final lap of the final race of the 2021 Championship.

Rumours have swirled since that race weekend that Hamilton may choose not to return in 2022, rumours that Hamilton himself has not sought to dispel.

While there have been indications from Mercedes that their star driver will pick up the baton again in 2022 at the start of the new regulation cycle, the possibility remains that he may choose to walk away.

https://racingnews365.com/new-fia-pr...return-in-2022


Binotto says 2022 Ferrari ‘Superfast’ PU has a lot of innovation
Paul Velasco
2 January, 2022

2020 was a toil for F1’s most successful team fallen on hard times. They finished sixth in the constructors’ championship that year.

But 2021 was better, and in fact, got better and better with every race, so much so Leclerc and Carlos Sainz managed to secure third in the 2021 F1 constructors’ title race, overcoming a similarly resurgent McLaren team.

Their great rivals are also on the up, both grand teams eager to again challenge for F1 world championships at the highest level.

Thus this past season Ferrari focussed all energy on developing the PU since the start of the season, with an eye on 2022. Chassis and aero, the last of this rules generation were mostly ignored to allow maximum focus on developing the ‘Superfast’ engine package.

Speaking to Motorsport-Magazin, Binotto explained the change of the backroom strategy: “Originally it was our intention to use this power unit, which we are developing for 2022, in the last races of the season, for example in the last three races.

But after the summer break, much earlier than expected, Ferrari began work on the new engine bolted to the SF21 and, according to Binotto, this was an important factor: “I think we’ve made a big step in PU.

“Because if you compare it to the past, in 2020 the Power Unit was our big weakness and we were a long way behind. If you look at where we are today, then the developments are obvious.”

https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/01...of-innovation/

[Fortitude]

Button: A shame McLaren didn't 'hang on' with Honda
Phillip van Osten
04/01/2022 at 15:09

Jenson Button believes its "a shame" that his former team McLaren didn't continue its partnership with Honda given the success enjoyed by the Japanese manufacturer with Red Bull in the past few seasons.

"And I think it's a shame that McLaren didn't hang on with them. It was very easy for them to point the finger when they weren't competitive and they pointed to the most unreliable part, which was the engine.

https://f1i.com/news/429844-button-a...ith-honda.html


Ex-F1 driver believes Alonso 'too impatient' with Honda
4th January 2022, ‎08‎:‎02

Anthony Davidson says Fernando Alonso must wonder what might have been, as Honda climbed to World Championship level after he walked away from a Honda-powered car.

Anthony Davidson reckons that Fernando Alonso proved a little too impatient about waiting for Honda progress, with the Spaniard infamously branding the manufacturer's power unit a "GP2 engine" as he drove for McLaren-Honda between 2015 and 2017.

With Honda and McLaren splitting as a result of their increasingly sour relationship, Honda partnered up with Red Bull's junior team in 2018 and joined the senior outfit in 2019. Race wins followed almost immediately and, in 2021, Max Verstappen won the title powered by Honda.

https://racingnews365.com/ex-f1-driv...ent-with-honda


2022 Could Williams turn things around?
By Andrew Hooper
January 1 2022

As we prepare for the start of the 2022 Formula One season time to look back at 2021. For me at the start of the year I had one simple question could the Williams Racing Team turn things around? With all the changes with new owners and new management could the team make any sort of progress in 2021. Thankfully we got to the end of the season and the answer was a positive yes. 2021 had been a far more encouraging season for the team ultlimately finishing eighth in the Constructors Championship. To come away from 2021 with a belief that the team could make progress was such a change from previous years. Now bring on 2022.

https://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s107/st202741.htm


Frank Williams' fighting spirit
December 22nd 2021
Author: Nigel Roebuck

Sir Frank Williams, who died in November aged 79, was a chief protagonist in the Formula 1 story, building a racing team alongside engineer Patrick Head that would take nine constructors’ and seven drivers’ titles. As Nigel Roebuck recounts, Frank’s was a turbocharged career, soured by tragedy, yet he never lost sight of the goal – the need to win

Back in the day, when life was in Technicolor and major companies were queueing to sponsor Formula 1 teams, Jackie Stewart used every January to organise a charity clay pigeon shooting event at Gleneagles. Most of the teams participated, and their backers gave handsomely to the cause. These occasions were savoured, not least because everyone involved – drivers and team owners included – was for once off duty, having fun.

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...ighting-spirit

[Fortitude]

An update on the future of Lewis Hamilton
January 5, 2022 by thejudge13

This defeat was visibly hard to swallow for Hamilton who has since disappeared from the radar screen. The Mercedes F1 driver deleted his Instagram followers, hasn’t responded to media, didn’t show up to the FIA end of season gala, and even ignored the new FIA president’s attempts to communicate.

Some say that the seven-time world champion could stop Formula 1 and retire, he who is however under contract until 2023 with Mercedes AMG F1.
“Very little credibility”.

For the time being, it is still unclear whether Lewis Hamilton will be at the start of the first Grand Prix of the 2022 season in his Mercedes.
A journalist for Auto Hebdo, Julien Billiotte told Ouest France about the future of the British driver. Would Hamilton stop racing now?

“It’s not very credible. He is not going to crash Mercedes a month and a half before the winter tests at the end of February.

https://thejudge13.com/2022/01/05/an...ewis-hamilton/


Bookie claims Masi ‘went rogue’, pays out on Hamilton and Verstappen bets
Sir Lewis Hamilton was denied his eighth F1 world championship in controversial circumstances at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
by Rob Kershaw
5 January 20225 January 2022

Paddy Power, an Ireland-headquartered bookmaker, have decided to pay out on bets placed on Sir Lewis Hamilton winning the championship following the extremely controversial end to the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

https://formula1news.co.uk/hamilton-...gged-decision/


Lewis Hamilton warned of 'demanding' George Russell as thrilling partnership looms
LEWIS HAMILTON warned exactly what to expect from new team-mate George Russell
By CLAIRE COTTINGHAM
10:00, Wed, Jan 5, 2022 | UPDATED: 10:00, Wed, Jan 5, 2022

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...tnership-looms


Mercedes targetting new sponsors as long-term partner leaves
5th January 2022, ‎10‎:‎58
Mercedes will be without one of their long-term sponsors in 2022, but are confident of finding new deals for the new season.
Author Dieter Rencken
Co-author Thomas Maher

Mercedes' sponsorship portfolio could look somewhat different in 2022, as one of their long-term deals has come to an end.

Epson, a Japanese electronics and printer company, will not continue their sponsorship of Mercedes into 2022, calling time on their deal after seven seasons together.

Bose, another long-term partner, are yet to be confirmed as a sponsor and no longer appear on the Mercedes list of partners on their website.

However, RacingNews365.com understands that conversations between the audio equipment brand and Mercedes are ongoing, while the team benefitted from various sponsorship uplifts throughout 2021 that outweigh any departures.

https://racingnews365.com/mercedes-t...partner-leaves

[Fortitude]

Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton might actually be quitting
by Joe Capraro 6th Jan 2022

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton may actually be ready to retire after a crushing end to his 2021 season.

There have been stern rumblings from Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff that Lewis Hamilton was outraged enough by the FIA’s decision making during his season-ending loss to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to walk away from the sport for good.

This isn’t the first time that Hamilton has supposedly been on the verge of quitting Formula 1.

It’s also not the pettiest reason for him being in this position; that dubious honor goes to his 2016 tantrum after a racing incident with teammate and eventual champion Nico Rosberg.

For their part, Mercedes seems confident, or at least hopeful, that Hamilton will return, tweeting a picture of their legendary driver with the caption: “Adversity causes some to break; others to break records.”

https://beyondtheflag.com/2022/01/05...quitting-2022/


Lewis Hamilton admitted move to Ferrari is 'a goal to be achieved'
LEWIS HAMILTON admitted driving for Ferrari is a "dream for anyone" and a "goal to be achieved" before his future at Mercedes was plunged into doubt.
By CHARLIE BRADLEY
15:21, Wed, Jan 5, 2022 | UPDATED: 17:12, Wed, Jan 5, 2022

Hamilton has been an integral figure for Mercedes during their dominant last seven years, but it seems Hamilton has also dreamed of driving for Ferrari.

In September, the seven-time champion admitted driving for Ferrari is a "dream for anyone" and a "goal to be achieved".

He told Sky Sports Italia: “For many years, when I came to Monza, walking next to the fans... I could hear them saying 'Come to Ferrari!'

“This warmed my heart, but it's pretty amazing that I've never driven for Ferrari in so many years. Because it is a dream for anyone, a goal to be achieved.”

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...retirement-spt


Formula 1: Aston Martin announce exit of team principal Otmar Szafnauer
His departure had been mooted during the Brazilian Grand Prix in November but he had denied at the time he had plans to step down.
Agence France-Presse January 05, 2022 20:04:17 IST

London: Otmar Szafnauer has stepped down as team principal of Aston Martin, the Silverstone-based Formula One team announced on Wednesday.

His departure had been mooted during the Brazilian Grand Prix in November but he had denied at the time he had plans to step down.

The 57-year-old American joined the team back in 2009 when it was Force India and was instrumental in navigating it through the financial struggles it faced in 2018 prior to its takeover by Lawrence Stroll.

The team was rebranded as Racing Point for the 2019 season and Aston Martin in 2021.

"We would like to thank him (Szafnauer) for the service provided to the team over the past 12 years and wish him well for the future as he will undoubtedly take on new challenges," said Aston Martin in a statement.

https://www.firstpost.com/sports/for...-10261291.html


Ex-F1 driver reckons Liberty Media happy with Abu Dhabi GP controversy
The ex-racer also warned Formula 1 against becoming more of a sports entertainment promotion than a legitimate sport.
by Rob Kershaw
5 January 20225 January 2022

“I’m sure the folks at Liberty are not complaining as this has lifted F1 to a whole new level in terms of people following.

“But, if this is the direction it will continue, where the entertainment comes before the sport, I think we’re getting into a very dangerous territory, I would hate to see F1 turning into the Motorsports version of the WWF [now known as WWE], where it’s just a show and the sport is secondary to the entertainment.”

https://formula1news.co.uk/ex-f1-dri...p-controversy/


Exclusive: McLaren tech boss on why the 2022 regulations are such a tough challenge
05/01/2022, ‎07‎:‎30
McLaren Technical Director James Key has explained to RacingNews365.com why the 2022 regulations are the most challenging he's ever seen.
Author Thomas Maher
Co-author Dieter Rencken

The 2022 technical regulations represent the most sweeping changes to the rulebook seen from one season to the next since 2009.

Almost every single element of the cars will change for 2022, with the only significant carryover being the same 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid engine formula.

In years gone by, the better-resourced teams could simply throw money, and personnel, at their designs. It caused disparity up and down the grid, favouring the teams which could simply spend their way out of trouble. To combat this, F1 introduced a budget cap in 2021 which limited the spending power of the teams to $145 million dollars.

This cap will shrink in 2022, down to $140 million dollars.

https://racingnews365.com/exclusive-...ough-challenge

[Fortitude]

Red Bull on new engine: Performance not what it was in 2021
06/01/2022, ‎12‎:‎58

According to reports in German media, the 2022 Honda power unit is yet to match the performance of the 2021 iteration.
Author RacingNews365 Staff

Red Bull's new 2022 power unit, produced and manufactured by Honda, is yet to match the power output of the 2021 version, according to reports in German media.

For 2022, F1 switches to a new 'E10' fuel which will see an increase of the ethanol content to 10 percent, with 90 percent fossil fuel sources. This increase is causing a big headache for the engine manufacturers as they attempt to make up for the dip in horsepower that this is causing compared to the older E5 fuel.

Power outputs are estimated to drop by around 20 horsepower, although Ferrari and Alpine have both reportedly already compensated for the power loss.

https://racingnews365.com/red-bull-o...it-was-in-2021


Honda still ‘working massively’ on RB18 performance
Date published: January 6 2022 - Mark Scott

Honda may no longer be an official part of Formula 1, but they are still helping Red Bull with their RB18 performance – according to Dr Helmut Marko.

The Japanese engine manufacturer headed off into the sunset at the end of the 2021 season having helped power Max Verstappen to World Championship glory in his RB16B.

But Honda have handed over their Intellectual Property to Red Bull and will provide support to their new Powertrains department for the 2022 season and beyond.

https://www.planetf1.com/news/honda-...8-performance/


‘Significant innovations’ for Ferrari’s 2022 F1 car and engine concepts
F1
Lewis Larkam
6 Jan 2022

Ferrari has made significant changes to its car and engine concepts for the 2022 Formula 1 season, with its new design featuring “a lot of innovation”.

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/995125...ngine-concepts


Binotto: Ferrari aims to 'keep on growing', but targets wins in 2022
Michael Delaney
06/01/2022 at 10:52

Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto says F1's new regulations are "a clear opportunity" for the Scuderia, and one that should allow the Italian outfit to win races in 2022.

Ferrari has spared no effort to improve its performance this season, putting the full weight of its engineering and human resources into its 2022 contender.

From the development of a new V6 power unit to the design of an all-new innovative car that was approached with "an open mind" according to Binotto, the Scuderia has left no stone unturned in its bid to join the battle at the top of the grid.

https://f1i.com/news/429915-binotto-...s-in-2022.html


Alpine experiencing ‘encouraging’ signs for 2022
Date published: January 5 2022 - Henry Valantine

Alpine executive director Marcin Budkowski says he’s seeing “encouraging” signs at the team ahead of 2022, but admits it’s not yet possible to know where they stack up against others on the grid.

Budkowski praised the progress his team have made throughout 2021, and he added that it bodes well for how the team will be able to operate moving forward.

A win and a podium were highlights in an otherwise inconsistent season for Alpine, but the executive director said the way the team is working is positive for their future

https://www.planetf1.com/news/alpine...igns-2022-car/


The real story: Aston Martin boss joins rivals
January 6, 2022 · by thejudge13 ·

The Aston Martin Formula 1 team confirmed on Wednesday that its chief operating officer, American Otmar Szafnauer, is leaving its F1 team. No replacement has yet been named but it appears Szafnauer will be joining the French Alpine squad as the real story unfolds.

For several months, the rumour of Szafnauer’s departure from the Aston Martin team has been touted by fellow journalists of AutoHebdo, a rumour quickly denied by the principal concerned himself. But on Wednesday, the British carmaker’s team confirmed that Szafnauer has left the company and his role in the Aston Martin team.

https://thejudge13.com/2022/01/06/th...-joins-rivals/

[Fortitude]

5 bold predictions for the 2022 season – but how many will come true?
Senior writer
Lawrence Barretto
06 January 2022

1. Four world champions will finish inside the top six in the drivers’ standings

2. Every team will score a podium

3. George Russell will fight for the title and finish in the top three

4. Carlos Sainz will win his first Grand Prix

5. Yuki Tsunoda will score more than one podium

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...93T05ymRU.html


2022 F1 GRID – All the drivers and teams racing this season
05 January 2022

A brand-new set of rules mean brand-new cars for 20 drivers on the F1 grid, with changes at Alfa Romeo and Mercedes plus one rookie. Here is how the 2022 F1 grid will line up.

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


10 things every Formula 1 fan should be excited for in 2022
Staff writer
Samarth Kanal
01 January 2022

1. Brand new cars.

2. Verstappen defending, Hamilton hunting.

3. A bumper 23-race F1 campaign.

4. Ferrari and McLaren stepping up to the plate.

5. Two rising titans aim to hit the front.

6. Williams continue their journey as Albon returns.

7. Zhou makes his debut.

8. Haas and Alfa's clean slate.

9. F2 and F3’s biggest season yet.

10. Welcome to Miami.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...n5JLKSHd0.html


Feature
HAMILTON VS VERSTAPPEN: Why their rivalry has the potential to be the greatest in F1 history
Special contributor
Edd Straw
29 December 2021

Sports comprise networks of rivalries. F1 is no exception, with the ever-shifting sands of battles between drivers and teams creating new and engaging storylines every season. But sometimes, a rivalry forms that towers above the rest, defining not just F1 in that era, but becoming a defining battle in sport as a whole.

That’s what the Max Verstappen versus Lewis Hamilton World Championship fight was in 2021. So intense, thrilling, controversial and dramatic was this battle that it can legitimately be considered as potentially one of the great rivalries, up there with Alain Prost vs Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher vs Mika Hakkinen, James Hunt vs Niki Lauda and the other legendary duels that define F1.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...BbHGGKY2H.html

[Fortitude]

BOLD F1 PREDICTIONS FOR 2022: HAMILTON'S LAST STAND PAVES WAY FOR RISE OF RUSSELL
Jonathan Brazeau
@JonathanBrazeau
December 31, 2021, ‎10‎:‎19‎ ‎AM

Hamilton will win his record eighth world championship ... and then contemplate his future

Hamilton is going to come back with a vengeance after having the world championship snatched from his grasp in the season finale.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/auto-racing...-rise-russell/


22 predictions for motorsport in 2022: Part 1
By Connor O'Brien
Saturday 1st January, 2022 - 1:32pm

1) Leclerc wins the Formula 1 drivers’ world championship

4) Alonso drives on into 2023*

https://www.speedcafe.com/2022/01/01...n-2022-part-1/

22 predictions for motorsport in 2022: Part 2
By Connor O'Brien
Sunday 2nd January, 2022 - 2:30pm

13) Ricciardo outscores Norris

17) Gasly on the move

20) Schumacher scores points, more than once

https://www.speedcafe.com/2022/01/02...n-2022-part-2/


F1 2022 predictions: Ferrari’s rebirth, young Brits in the title fight and Verstappen vs Hamilton II
Here’s a taste of what we can look forward to when the next Formula One season gets underway in Bahrain
By Kevin Garside
Chief Sports Correspondent
December 16, 2021 4:02 pm(Updated 4:04 pm)

Here’s a taste of what we can look forward to:
Verstappen vs Hamilton II

Ferrari’s rebirth

Russell could be Hamilton’s biggest challenger

Expect Norris to be in the title fight (if McLaren get pre-season right)

Rule changes could level competition

https://inews.co.uk/sport/formula-on...59?ITO=newsnow


F1 takes the US and Canada take Qatar: our bold sports predictions for 2022
Melissa Jacobs, Bryan Armen Graham, Andrew Lawrence, Tumaini Carayol, Oliver Connolly, Beau Dure and Hunter Felt
Sat 1 Jan 2022 10.00 GMT

On the heels of a sports year that was chock full of surprises, Guardian US contributors make their bold predictions for the months to come

Formula 1 will overtake Nascar and IndyCar’s US audience

It took a few decades, but F1 finally figured out the most direct path into an American TV viewer’s heart is through soapy drama. The messier, the better.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...tions-for-2022