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Official F1 pages across social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter asked fans to share their bold predictions for the 2022 season. The posts were flooded with comments from people all over the world with predictions that some may find bizarre while some seem rather realistic.
As history suggests, with each passing year, the possibilities for unpredictable podiums, such as that of George Russell at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix, exhilaratingly unforeseeable maiden race wins, like that of Esteban Ocon in Hungary, and unthinkable last-lap drama, such as that in the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, are rising.
With new technical regulations coming in this year, the sport is set to witness some thrilling battles, making predictions difficult. Even before learning more about the 2022 cars, fans have taken to social media to share some ambitious predictions about their favorite F1 drivers and teams.
Here are 5 bold fan predictions for F1 2022
#1 Fernando Alonso wins the 2022 world drivers' championship
Two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso is undeniably a fan favorite. Currently driving for Alpine, the Spaniard took his first podium in Qatar since 2014 and was voted "Driver Of The Day" for his solid drive at the Losail International Circuit. Possibly the boldest prediction of them all, this one suggests that Alonso will clinch the championship in the 2022 F1 season.
With countless memes about "El plan" making the rounds on social media, fans strongly desire to see the Alpine driver back on top. While the car was comfortably a midfield one in 2021, the new regulations for the upcoming season may mix things up a bit and the French team may even put up a fight for the championship. Given that the 40-year-old will be entering his 19th year as an F1 driver, however, it is likely that age may stand a barrier between him and the third championship title.
#2 Mercedes will win their 9th constructors' title; Hamilton to win 8th championship
The 2021 F1 season will go down in history as one of the best, all thanks to the intense battle for the championship between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. With the title lead changing hands on multiple occasions, Verstappen secured the championship title on the very last lap of the final race, denying the Briton a record-breaking 8th championship win.
While Mercedes went on to take their eighth constructors' championship victory, the driver's fans all over the world were devastated by the championship result. A fair share of F1 fans are convinced the 36-year-old will come back this year and give it all he has got to take the championship win he believes he deserves. Verstappen, however, seems equally determined to defend his title. Additionally, with the likes of rising stars such as Lando Norris, George Russell and Charles Leclerc gaining momentum with some of their best seasons, the threat to Hamilton for the title is now greater than ever.
Also Read: Who has won most F1 Championships?
5 bold fan predictions for F1 2022 (cont.)
#3 Ferrari will win the F1 World Constructors' Championship
Ferrari is the most successful team in F1, having raced every single season since the inception of the sport in 1946. The team has won 16 world constructors' championships, the last of which was in 2008. The Italian constructor has undeniably struggled over the past few years and had one of their worst years so far in 2020.
With Carlos Sainz joining the team in 2021, however, the team significantly improved and finished third in the constructors' standings. Leclerc's team-mate pairing with Sainz has proven very successful and prospects for a strong season for the two, given a competitive car, seem good.
Contrary to previous predictions, this one states that Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton will have an underwhelming year. While this seems unlikely, it is not impossible, given the upcoming changes in technical regulations. Additionally, this one states that the Briton will retire after the 2022 F1 season, a prediction that would not be appreciated by die-hard Hamilton fans.
#4 A season of many firsts - wins, podiums, and poles
Whilst this prediction may not be the most realistic, it takes the cake to be the most optimistic. Lando Norris has had his most successful season so far and is anticipated to be one of the most exciting young talents in F1. The McLaren driver got painfully close to taking his maiden race victory in Sochi last year and is expected to be fighting for wins in 2022.
Carlos Sainz of Ferrari has also had an impressive year, having clinched a P5 in the drivers' standings ahead of team-mate Charles Leclerc and both McLarens. With 15 consecutive points finishes, Sainz seems poised to take his career-first F1 victory in the upcoming season. This year, the Spaniard broke the record for most F1 career points without a race win. A win for him, however, does not seem very far-reached in the 2022 season.
Additionally, Yuki Tsunoda is predicted to take his maiden podium with Alpha Tauri in 2022. The 21-year-old rookie took a while to find grip with his car but delivered some solid drives towards the end of the season. A new pole-sitter also seems to be in the books according to this encouraging set of predictions.
#5 Sebastian Vettel to win his 5th World Drivers' Championship
Another fan favorite for the championship title in 2022 is the four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel. The German departed from Ferrari to join Aston Martin in 2021 and had an unquestionably difficult start to the season. He, however, went on to take his maiden podium with Aston Martin, which was the first for the team overall, with a brilliant drive from P11 to P2 in Baku. He then went on to secure another podium in Hungary, only to be disqualified because the FIA could not extract sufficient samples of fuel from his car. Regardless, Vettel fans were on top of the world to see him drive podium-worthy races.
Once again, with younger talent expected to be fighting for the title in 2022, the chances of seeing Vettel take the championship this year are rather slim but not entirely impossible. As the disparity in car performance reduces, fans hope to see more competitive racing and unexpected battles in the upcoming season.
