New Formula, New Winner?

Aaron Harper
Mar 18, 2022
3 min read

Updated: Mar 22, 2022

Formula 1 returns for its 72nd season, with the opening race at Bahrain’s Sakhir International circuit.

Testing is over and the teams must now show their hand in competitive action for this first time.

Dutch driver Max Verstappen will be seeking to defend the championship he won in 2021, but his British rival Lewis Hamilton has his sights set on taking back his crown and breaking the record for driver’s world championships.

But with all new cars for this year, there is an opportunity for another team or driver to jump to the front and stake their claim for glory.

How things stand?

In testing it was Ferrari who impressed most. Red Bull did set the fastest lap time on the final day, after an update package arrived for the last day, however Ferrari have appeared quick, consistent and reliable in both Barcelona and Bahrain.

ree — Ferrari have looked strong in pre-season

The Scuderia’s drivers have been able to deliver lap time with apparent ease and the team has got on top of its “porpoising” issues.

This is where the car gets too close to the ground, causing the airflow under the car to choke, which leads to the car’s ride height springing up.

As the gap opens up again, the airflow is restored allowing the car to generate downforce through ground effect again. As this process repeats, the car begins to jump up and down, which is not good for the driver or for the car’s integrity.

ree — Red Bull are the favourites this weekend

Red Bull have also been on top of this issue and look on the pace following Verstappen’s mega lap time to close testing.

Their adversaries from last year, Mercedes, have been down-playing their chances in Bahrain as they appear to be suffering with the “porpoisng” problem as they can’t find the sweet spot between speed and stability.

Hamilton and new team-mate George Russell have spoken about not being able to battle for victories just yet, but the car “has potential.”

McLaren have also looked quick but had a pretty fundamental problem in Bahrain, with overheating front brakes, leaving them in a precarious reliability situation.

As for the teams who were midfield teams in 2021, Alpha Tauri have looked in good shape, while Alpine have been difficult to read. Aston Martin seem to be no further up the order than previously as Haas have surprised everyone with their pace.

ree — Haas appear to have made a significant step forward

Alfa Romeo could be in position to make a good start to the season and even though Williams lost running due to a brake fire on day 2 in Bahrain, they’ve looked solid enough.