TW: Sexual Harassment, Abuse
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ISSUE 3
Ranking The F1 2022 Driver Lineups
Nandan Patil and Adhiraaj Singh Yadav
2022 is the start of a new era for Formula 1. Sweeping new technical regulations are going to drastically change both the visual look and aerodynamic integrity of F1 cars, with the aim of reducing dirty air to let cars follow each other more closely. With the expectation of closer wheel to wheel racing, drivers are even more important to a team's success. Here is our ranking of the F1 2022 driver lineups.
10. Haas
Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin
On the surface, zero points finishes in 2021 may seem like a terrible season for Haas. But two rookie drivers and a car that hasn't been developed since 2020 mean that while the team is not walking away from 2021 overjoyed by a last-place finish, they shouldn't be sad either.
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Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin now have a full season of F1 under their belt, meaning Haas goes into this new season with more confident drivers and hopefully the hunger to race. Schumacher showed glimmers of his talent last season, most notably his feisty defence against eventual title winner Max Verstappen's damaged Red Bull in Hungary. And while Mazepin has had a poor first season in F1, his progress throughout the season has been noticeable.
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Haas' 2022 driver lineup doesn't inspire confidence and is clearly the weakest on the grid, but if Haas can provide its drivers with a car that isn't more than 2 seconds slower than the rest of the field, it will give Schumacher and Mazepin a chance to prove themselves in Formula 1.
Source: F1
Source: F1
Source: F1
9. Alfa Romeo
Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou
Chinese rookie Guanyu Zhou will make his Formula 1 debut alongside ex-Mercedes driver Valterri Bottas for Alfa Romeo in 2022. After finishing in 9th place with just 13 points, the Italian team has a lot to prove for 2022. Alfa Romeo sacrificed the development of the 2021 car, and began to work on the new regulation changes.
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The signing of Guanyu Zhou came with sponsor money, which could be put together to improve the car and fight at the midfield. After spending 5 years competing at the top, Valterri Bottas will have to adjust to starting from the back of the grid and fighting in the midfield. Bottas has struggled throughout the season in overtaking cars while starting from the midfield, which could be an issue for the Finnish driver. Similarly, while Guanyu Zhou has spent 3 years competing in F2, he has not won it yet.
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The team clearly has one of the weakest line-ups on the grid. However, one must not be too harsh as it will be Zhou’s first year in F1 and Valterri’s first year fighting in the midfield.
Source: F1
Source: F2
8. Williams
Nicholas Latifi and Alex Albon
Losing George Russell to Mercedes was something that everyone at Williams knew would happen eventually. But with Nicholas Latifi entering his 3rd season in F1, and the talented Alex Albon returning to the sport after a one-year hiatus, Williams has a competent lineup heading into a new and hopefully brighter era for the team.
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While Latifi was comprehensively beaten by Russell in 2021, both in qualifying and in race trim, the Canadian did show some form during the season. P6 in Hungary was a solid drive in crazy circumstances and was followed by some solid qualifying in the latter parts of the season. On the other side of the garage, I think Albon will be a force to be reckoned with in 2022. His peaks at Red Bull were high, but his lows were very low. With less pressure at Williams and nothing to lose, Albon will shine and excel at his new team.
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Latifi may be nothing more than an average and competent F1 driver, but if William's can build an improved car in 2022, then I think Albon can and will replicate Russell's heroics with the team.
Source: F1
Source: F1
7. Aston Martin
Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel
With Lance Stroll starting his fourth year with the team, and 4-time world champion Sebastian Vettel starting his second, Aston Martin does look strong on paper. But from what they showed in 2021, I have serious doubts about whether their clear potential will actually come to fruition out on the race track.
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Stroll had a fairly decent 2021 campaign, with ten points finishes throughout the season. On the other hand, Vettel had a rollercoaster of a first season with the team, netting only seven points finishes. But unlike his teammate, the German was able to get his car higher up the field when the opportunity arose, with excellent drives to P5 and P2 in Monaco and Baku respectively.
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Yes, the Aston Martin was only the 7th fastest car on the grid, but even if it was faster, I doubt the inconsistent pairing of Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel could've lifted it into the top of the midfield. Even with an improved car, both drivers will have to perform much better in 2022 if Aston Martin wants to avoid a repeat of its disappointing 2021 season because this driver lineup looks the weakest of F1's midfield.
Source: F1
Source: F1
6. Alpha Tauri
Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda
2021 was Alpha Tauri’s best season to date, finishing 6th in the Constructor's Championship with 142 points under their belt. The Italian team lost out on 5th place during the latter half of the season, in a fierce, nerve-wracking battle between rivals Alpine.
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The team had a decent line-up in 2021, with flying Frenchmen Pierre Gasly leading the way, alongside rookie teammate Yuki Tsunoda. Gasly showed his talent and skill throughout the season, finishing consistently in the top 10 and even on the podium in Azerbaijan. On the contrary, Tsunoda was wildly inconsistent, but his progress and growth throughout the season was visible, as he reached Q3 in 6 of the last 7 races and delivered spectacular performances on some occasions, such as his defence at the Turkish Grand Prix against 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
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Alpha Tauri’s lineup looks solid going into 2022, and the new regulations make it all to play for. If the team can nail the regulation changes and deliver a good car, the pairing of Gasly and Tsunoda have a solid chance at getting even more podiums and fighting at the front of the pack.
Source: F1
Source: F1
5. Alpine
Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso
The 111th Grand Prix winner Esteban Ocon will partner double World Champion Fernando Alonso again for the 2022 season. Both drivers had exceptional performances in 2021, helping the French team finish 5th in the constructor’s championship.
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Despite a rough start to the season, Ocon and Alonso performed exceptionally throughout the rest of the it. Ocon showed his potential and ability in races such as Saudi Arabia and Hungary- where he achieved his first F1 victory.
Alonso also performed remarkably with exceptional performances and demonstrated that racing was still in his blood, after returning to the sport following a two year sabatical.
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If Alpine are able to deliver a strong car, then the team will thrive and will be capable of fighting at the front of the pack, as both drivers have shown their talent and skill throughout the season on the racetrack.
Source: F1
Source: F1
4. McLaren
Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo
After having their most successful year since 2012 in terms of points scored, McLaren will continue with the driver pairing of Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo. Ricciardo had a tough first year with the Woking team, while Norris was operating on a whole other level throughout the season.
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Norris showed that he has the potential to become World Champion in the future by achieving 5 podiums for McLaren and finishing in the points in 21 out of the 22 races. On the contrary, Ricciardo seemed to struggle to get to grips with the car. Despite winning the Italian Grand Prix, the Australian driver underperformed at most of the races and was beaten by his teammate throughout the season.
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Nonetheless, McLaren go into 2022 with one of the most capable lineups on the grid and will be capable of fighting at the front. With Norris leading the team, Ricciardo will have to perform well or rick jeopardizing his chances of continuing with McLaren in the future.
Source: F1
Source: F1
3. Red Bull
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen will be paired with teammate Sergio Perez for the second year running. After a very successful season with 23 podium finishes and second place in the constructors' championship, the Red Bull duo is one to look out for.
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Max and ‘Checo’ Perez have developed excellent chemistry over the season, with notorious performances throughout the championship. Checo was known for his defence against other drivers, acting as a wingman for Max by holding up other drivers in races such as the Abu Dhabi GP and the Turkish GP. Verstappen is THE driver to beat in F1 right now. He is both young and experienced, tenacious and fast, and not shy of pushing the boundaries during wheel-to-wheel racing. His 2021 season was near perfect, and he'll be looking to defend his crown in 2022.
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As a team, the pair gained solid momentum by getting consecutive podiums in the second half of 2021. With Max Verstappen, Red Bull have a generational talent at his very best, so it will be down to Perez's supporting performances to prove whether Red Bull can be F1's next dominant team or simply a one-off nuisance to Mercedes.
Source: F1
Source: F1
2. Ferrari
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
The Ferrari boys were by far the strongest driver lineup in 2021. With 18-double points finishes and a total of 5 podiums throughout the season, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz propelled Ferrari to P3 in the constructors' championships.
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Leclerc showed just why he is considered a future world champion, with 2 pole positions and some outstanding drives including a spirited P2 in Britain. Sainz came into Ferrari and took to his new team like a fish to water. While still a bit behind his teammate on raw quali pace, the Spaniard oozed consistency and class throughout the season- his 4 podiums helping seal P5 in the drivers' championship, 2 places ahead of his teammate.
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Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto is confident Ferrari's 2022 car will allow them to return back to the top of the grid. And with Leclerc and Sainz, Ferrari has two drivers capable of doing just that. The only thing Ferrari has to worry about in 2022 is the possibility of Leclerc and Sainz clashing on track, possibly fracturing what is one of the healthiest relationships in the paddock between two supremely talented drivers.
Source: Planet F1
Source: The Race
1. Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell at Mercedes is a combination fans have eagerly been waiting for since Russell's stand-in appearance at Sakhir in 2020. Toto Wolff stuck with the experienced Bottas for 2021, but as a new era of F1 technical regulations begins 2022, so does one at the sport's most dominant team of the last decade.
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Hamilton may have lost the title to Verstappen last season, but the Briton is still statistically the greatest driver the sport has ever seen. ​At more than one instance last season, Hamilton looked destined to lose the title. But consecutive wins in Brazil, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia ensured he entered the finale in Abu Dhabi level on points with Verstappen, showing Hamilton's undeniable skill. Russell has impressed during his three-year stint at backmarker Williams, with some exceptional qualifying performances. During his one-off Mercedes race in 2020, he was on course to win if not for a pit-stop blunder and late-race puncture.
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Russell will be eager to prove that he is worthy of a seat at Mercedes, while Hamilton will be roaring to steal his crown back from Verstappen. Russell may be an immense talent, but with a proven and pacy Ferrari duo in second place, it's Hamilton's unparalleled dominance in the last few years that makes the Mercedes lineup 2022's strongest.
Source: F1
Source: F1