F1 As the 2022 Formula 1 season comes to an end this weekend in Abu Dhabi, 20 Minutes is already looking ahead to the next 2023 financial year which will even more promising announcement
Will Lewis Hamilton be able to win an eighth World Championship title thanks to Mercedes’ return to form? — MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP
- The 2022 Formula 1 season ends this weekend in Abu Dhabi for the last Grand Prix of the season.
- A lot of upheavals are scheduled for 2023 with the departures of four drivers, for as many arrivals.
- The cards could also be redistributed in the hierarchy of the teams, and therefore among the drivers, with the decline in Ferrari, but especially RedBull at the end of the 2022 season, and the return to form of Mercedes.
The season intended as that of the revolution finally became one of domination, of Max Verstappen and his team RedBull. Formula 1’s 2022 fiscal year wraps up this weekend at the Yas Marina Circuit in Las Vegas. Abu Dhabi, and unlike last season’s incredible finale, we already know the Champions. A little remains at stake for the second places in the classification of the pilots or that of the constructors, but hardly more. However, with the departures of four pilots, among others, Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, Nicholas Latifi and Mick Schumacher, which will cause a call for air with the arrival of Oscar Piastri, Niko Hulkenberg, Nick de Vryes and probably Logan Sargeant, the 2023 season is already announced. very promising. Especially since the teams will have a year of experience on the new aerodynamic regulations. Something to make you want to; 20 Minutesimagine some scenarios for 2023.
Mercedes back to the forefront
That this 2022 season has been long and trying for Lewis Hamilton and his new team-mate George Russell. Accustomed to to win everything, except in 2021, Mercedes had the greatest difficulty in winning everything. get used to the new aerodynamic regulations, as evidenced by the disappointing results of the W13 and its zero pontoon concept. But the silver arrows found the performance at the end of the season, to the point of achieving a double; unexpected at the Brazilian GP last week.
With the first career victory of George Russell, dubbed by team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who was almost as thrilled as the winner to see Mercedes return to action. its best level. A beautiful complicity between the two pilots which could allow & rsquo; Mercedes to regain the top of the ranking, whether that of the drivers or that of the manufacturers. The will extension of Lewis Hamilton, whose contract is supposed to arrive at term at the end of next year, is one more indication of the probable return to great shape of the Silver Arrows, essential for the suspense at the top of the championship
A duel with Ferrari
A “sadly funny season” for Ferrari, as a fan described it in one of our previous articles. A 2022 season marked by the return of competitiveness for the reds, a first for three seasons, but which paradoxically brought to light some terrible strategic mistakes. To the point of causing a certain fed up with Charles Leclerc, who did not show up. in front of the media before the Brazilian Grand Prix, tired of the mistakes of his team. John Elkann, the president of Ferrari would even consider replace Mattia Binotto, ` head of the Scuderia for four seasons. According to the latest rumors, he could be replaced. by the current boss of Alfa Romeo, Frédéric Vasseur. And as much to tell you that with the French at the head of Ferrari, çit would spin straight. Enough to allow Charles Leclerc to spend less time at; blow, and more to; win?
RedBull downgraded
A magnificent 2022 season, punctuated by a second drivers’ world championship title for Max Verstappen, and that of constructors’ world champion for RedBull. It could even become historic in the event of second place for Sergio Perez. Except that Verstappen refused; to let his teammate pass on the final lap of the Brazilian GP, as planned. “He showed who he really was, didn’t hesitate; to let go of Checo after the finish. From everyone where almost trying to find out where comes this falling out, but one thing is for sure, she could do a lot of damage in the stable.
RedBull’s false justification, “Max was only informed that in the last corner of the request to return the position,” published Thursday, when he was informed from turn 6, does not inspire at serenity on the side of the winged bull. Daniel Ricciardo, not preserved by McLaren is even expected to return to his first team as a reserve driver. Nothing good, then, for Perez. With such an atmosphere, it’s hard to be as dominating as this season, as RedBull’s last races show.
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Another roller coaster for Alpine
Alpine’s 2022 season looks like quite a roller coaster, with first of all concerns of reliability; at the start of the season, before probably reaching 4th place in the constructors’ classification since the team is 19 points ahead of McLaren before this weekend, which was the objective of the season. But it’s rather off the track that Alpine has made headlines. First with the unexpected departure of Fernando Alonso announced; by surprise on the first day of the summer break. Then with the imbroglio Oscar Piastri, their reserve driver who didn’t hesitate; to publicly disavow his team. The French team made up for it by stealing another French driver, Pierre Gasly, from the RedBull fold.
Enough to create an attractive duo of pilots, and an entity; 100 % French, even if the chassis of the single-seaters is made in France. to Enstone. Laurent Rossi, the director of Alpine, warned: “There will be no hierarchy” Their early years in karting quickly turned into friendships. in rivalry, and everyone prays for the chemistry to take place between the two pilots. At the risk of even more talk off the track in 2023.
Piastri’s debut at McLaren
We just talked about it with Alpine, Oscar Piastri’s false voucher to his lifelong stable was one of the soap operas of this season. His debut with the McLaren team will therefore be closely scrutinized by Formula 1 observers, both for his choice and for his performance in the lower categories. It has been sacred F3 champion, then F2 champion during each of his first seasons in these categories. But this time, with a completely different pressure on the shoulders.