The novelties of the next Formula 1 season In Bahrain starts a world championship with regulations and cars very different from the previous one
Everyone is on the hunt for Max Verstappen, the reigning World Champion after the heart-stopping season finale of 2021. This is the announced goal of the Formula 1 drivers, who are ready to get behind the wheel of their racecars again for the start of the new season. The smell of burning tires, the music of roaring engines, helmets fastened and off to a new year of racing around the circuits of the world. The F1 Circus is back for the most revolutionary season in 40 years: in the words of Adrian Newey, technical director of Scuderia Red Bull. The world of the fastest racecars on the planet has been completely reinvented. In fact, in 2022 everything will change, from the actual rules to the technical dictates for the design of the new cars, so as to give new life to a sport that, with the exception of the sensational last championship, was beginning to make even the most ardent fans yawn.
This epoch-making change was supposed to arrive in 2021, but then postponed to 2022 due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. This revolution was conceived to reduce costs and increase the spectacle on the track, with the intent to level the performance of the teams. The most radical technical change concerns the aerodynamic department of the cars with the return of the "ground effect", but the tires have also been modified, as well as the rims, brakes, front and rear wings and the weight of the cars.
What the tests said
The last tests, which took place in Bahrain, confirmed that Red Bull is still the team to beat. A revolutionary racecar, but one that already seemed to be well-balanced and with Verstappen, the world champion, intent more than ever on reconfirming his position. Ferrari made a great impression, with fans hoping and crossing their fingers for a season as protagonists. The car, which even on the track has shown the aggressiveness shown at the time of its presentation, seems to be well studied and tested with Charles Leclerc who has adapted well to the new style of the car. And in Bahrain, the Monegasque and Verstappen have already given a taste of what will be seen on the track this season with overtaking and counter-overtaking.
Mercedes, on the other hand, has continued to hide and work under the radar, but the team of the Silver Arrows has won the last eight constructors' championships and so surprises can be expected when the game really starts to count. Hamilton hasn't lost enthusiasm after last season's shocking finish, indeed he seems even more fierce to regain the crown. McLaren, on the other hand, which on balance was the fourth best team in the last championship, comes out of testing with a big question mark. In Bahrain, Ricciardo was not seen because of Covid with Norris who had to carry all the work on his shoulders. The papaya-colored single-seater, however, had major problems.
