The new season is almost upon us. Fans have been waiting months to see the new cars in action and in a matter of hours the flag will fall to signal the proper start of the 2022 season (don’t believe anything you see in testing). We asked our regular contributors to give us their 2022 F1 season preview. Have a read what they have to say below and let us know your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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2022 F1 Season Preview Picks: Nick van der Meulen

While the Formula 1 circus provided the biggest (I won’t say greatest) showdown between two drivers from different teams in recent memory in 2021, the controversial way it ended left a bitter taste in my mouth. 

Politics and manipulation decided the title and not the track. The mudslinging and moaning from team principals and drivers alike were appalling. This is not the sport I grew up to love so much (yes, I know, it is no longer a sport – it is a business). The Netflix latest season of the series Drive to Survive did little to change my view.

There are new regulations coming into play as of the 2022 season, which required car redesigns. Interestingly, the “ground effects” concept returns to F1 racing for the first time in 40 years. It was banned because of the danger it presented to the drivers (Niki Lauda was strongly against it), however, safety and materials have progressed much in the last four decades. 

The porpoising effect (where the car bounces up and down due to ground effects) is something the teams are currently struggling with and I believe the first few Grands Prix will see adjustments and development by the teams in an attempt to negate the issue. The drastic changes in the rules can see teams fall from grace or minnow teams rise to prominence.

I am an ardent Ferrari fan. The team has been strong in testing and I hope to see Charles Leclerc in the winners’ circle on a regular basis. Carlos Sainz is coming of age and  I hope he wins his first Grand Prix. Red Bull has shown to be blindingly quick and, thus, current titleholder Max Verstappen is, arguably, favourite for the world championship. 

Mercedes has had a troubled time in testing with their chassis design, although their mechanical reliability appears to be sound. However, they have some of the best people in the business and one would be foolish to count them out. It may take a few races for Lewis Hamilton to come into play, but the Englishman will probably be the only driver to give Verstappen a run for his money. George Russell is hungry for his first Grand Prix victory and, now that he has a Mercedes under him, he has the opportunity to do so. McLaren has had a solid testing period and they have an exciting driver line-up in Ricciardo and Norris…

I can only hope the change in regulations will see scintillating racing and that this will be what fans will focus on, instead of the backbiting and negativity which was the focus of 2021.

2022 F1 Season Preview Picks: Kyle Kock

I’m going to start by saying that I still haven’t gotten over my disappointment in how the 2021 season ended. Hopefully, this year the rules will be followed in the letter. And there’ll be less interpretation by individuals for added dramatisation and more consistency from the race director/s. Good riddance to Michael Masi.

Then, I’m happy to welcome back Kevin Magnussen, who replaces the unlikeable Nikita Mazepin at Haas. They’ve shown some decent pace in pre-season testing, and their effort into the 2022 car is showing. I expect Haas to move up a couple of places in the constructor’s championship this year.

My cousin Wesley Lang and I have watched the past two seasons together, and we share the same sentiments about the season. It would be unfair to not mention his name here as well.  

Now that there’s been a break in Lewis Hamilton’s dominance, and the young lion Max Verstappen has won his first championship, it could very well be another year for a new face at the top. I just hope that George Russell won’t play second fiddle to Lewis and stand up for himself. 

Ferrari has managed to turn up the wick, at least during the ‘winter championship’. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc have been a brilliant pairing for the Scuderia. I think the red cars will be a force to be reckoned with.

Daniel Ricciardo seems to have found his mojo again at McLaren. And, obviously, young Lando Norris is a hot contender. The papaya cars were consistently running at the top last year and they seem to have been very strong at testing. 

Wesley and I feel that there’ll be a new driver’s champion at the end of the year. Lando has pace but is still making rookie errors. If he dials it in, he might be able to do something decent. I feel the same for Daniel. Russell will be able to do the same thing. He’s already shown his pace in a top running car. Now that he goes up against the GOAT, he has a chance to prove himself properly. 

The Ferrari cars and drivers are our favourites for the season.