The new year means a new F1 season is on the horizon. We have barely recovered from the drama and thrill of the final of the previous season, and are already on our way to witness the battle resume. So, here are the top 5 things to look forward to in 2022.
5. The longest F1 season
In 2022, we will have 23 races, including a debut for the Miami circuit. This is the longest season in the history of the sport. The Suzuka, Montreal, Melbourne and Singapore circuits will be returning to the calendar this year.
4. George Russell steps up
The 23-year-old will be making his permanent debut with Mercedes this season. He will also have a great car to drive for the season, which could make the 2018 F2 champion the revelation of the season.
3. The No.1 car will return and we have the first-ever Chinese F1 driver
Max Verstappen will be sporting the number 1 on his car, since he is the defending champion. Lewis Hamilton has not chosen to do so on any occasion, sticking to 44 while having the chance to be number 1. Alfa Romeo have signed Guanyu Zhou, the F3 championship winner, who will be the first-ever Chinese driver to race in the history of the sport.
2. Lewis Hamilton gets a chance to extract revenge
Lewis Hamilton has never had the opportunity to directly compete with a driver who has taken the title off of him. After Jenson Button won the title in 2009, Brawn GP was sold to Mercedes and Button was with Hamilton in the same team. In 2016, Nico Rosberg took the title from Hamilton but retired afterwards.
This time around, Verstappen will be competing with Hamilton to defend his maiden Championship.
1. New car designs
The Ground Effect, which was previously banned, will return to F1. The front wing and nose have also been redesigned, and the new 18-inch tyres will give a different look to the car. These changes will make the cars faster and harder to drive.
