The Formula 1 season might just have come to an end, but enthusiasts have already been chomping at the bit for more action in the wake of Max Verstappen’s spectacular victory.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were tied on points heading into the final race, so the title would be awarded to the driver who finished first. Hamilton, a British driver, appeared to be on his way to a record eighth world championship after leading for the majority of the race in Abu Dhabi.
However, after Nicholas Latifi crashed with less than 10 laps to go, a safety car was dispatched. With Verstappen pitting and Hamilton still on the track, race director Michael Masi was faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to restart the race. He did, and he also offered a few cars to unlap themself, putting Verstappen in hot pursuit of Hamilton.
The Dutchman overtook and then held off his opponent to win his first world title. The rules for unlapping have been called into question as a result of this.
For next season, there would be some changes to the rules, but when will they begin? Here’s everything you need to know about it.
When will the action begin?
The Bahrain Grand Prix kicks off the 2022 Formula 1 season on March 20.
What new races are there?
The first-ever Miami Grand Prix will take place in May at Hard Rock Stadium. After being cancelled due to the pandemic, the Australian, Canadian, Singaporean, and Japanese GPs will be reintroduced in the 2022 season.
What are the new law changes?
The wind tunnel and CFD testing structures will be altered, and the amount of testing will be reduced based on the team’s finish position in 2021.
According to the data provided, each team will have one of the six aerodynamic testing periods: Teams were allowed to spend a total of 400 hours in the wind tunnel after completing 320 WindTunnel runs and 80 hours of wind-on time.
Depending on where each team finishes, percentage values apply. A 70 per cent multiplier is awarded for first place in the constructors’ standings, meaning a team’s time in the WindTunnel is hampered. However, a 115 per cent multiplier is awarded for 10th place, indicating they will have much more time in the wind tunnel. The same will be true for CFD terms.
The cost cap is bound to decrease to $140 million from $145 million for the 2021 season.
Furthermore, from three in 2021 to six in 2022, the number of sprint races will be increased
Who will be the participants?
- Lewis Hamilton and George Russell of Mercedes-Benz
- Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez of Red Bull
- Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz of Ferrari
- Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo of McLaren.
- Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon of Alpine
- Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda of Alpha Tauri
- Nicholas Latifi and Alex Albon of Williams
- Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin
- Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou of Alfa Romeo
- Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin of Haas
Calendar F1 2022
The FIA declared in October 2021 that a 23-race calendar would be held, setting a new record.
All races must pass COVID-19 protocols, which may be stalled or pushed back based on the regulations of the respective country.
- 20th March in Bahrain, Sakhir
- 27th March in Saudi Arabia, Jeddah
- 10th April in Australia, Melbourne
- 24th April in Emilia Romagna, Imola
- 8th May in Miami
- 22nd May in Spain, Barcelona
- 29th May in Monaco
- 12th June in Azerbaijan, Baku
- 19th June in Canada, Montreal
- 3rd July in the United Kingdom, Silverstone
- 10th July in Austria, Spielberg
- 24th July in France, Le Castellet
- 31st July in Hungary, Budapest
- 28th August in Belgium, Spa
- 4th September in Netherlands, Zandvoort
- 11th September in Italy, Monza
- 25th September in Russia, Sochi
- 2nd October: Singapore
- 9th October: Japan, Suzuka
- 23rd October: USA, Austin
- 30th October: Mexico, Mexico City
- 13th November: Brazil, Sao Paulo
- 20th November: Abu Dhabi