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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.
