New era: Hamilton opens the hunt for Verstappen
Created: 03/14/2022, 04:18
Max Verstappen wants to repeat his World Cup coup from last year.
© Hasan Bratic/dpa
Formula 1 is radically new.
Does the rule revolution surprise?
Hamilton has a score to settle with Verstappen.
Can Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher move forward?
Sakhir – After two years of corona improvisation, Formula 1 is heralding a new era.
A new aerodynamic concept should make the races more exciting.
Will Max Verstappen become world champion again?
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Schumacher's Haas team: First pictures of the new racing car
Or will Lewis Hamilton finally be crowned record champion after the frustrating final in Abu Dhabi?
And how do Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher perform after weeks of chaos at Haas?
The Formula 1 season has 245 days for the answers.
Why is so much different this season?
Formula 1 wants to be more exciting.
That is why she has overhauled her technical regulations.
A completely changed aerodynamics concept should ensure that more duels are possible on the asphalt and overtaking is also made easier.
Ideally, the outcome of a race becomes more unpredictable because outsiders can also drive to the front.
At least that is the hope of the Formula 1 bosses.
"I'm very optimistic for the season and I think we'll see some interesting results," said Formula 1 sporting director Ross Brawn.
Also new are 18-inch tires with hubcaps, replacing the balloon-like 13-inch tires.
Will the Ukraine war affect Formula 1?
The Russia race in Sochi has already been removed from the calendar.
In the foreseeable future there will be no Grand Prix at all.
Formula 1 continues to hope "for a quick and peaceful solution" after the Russian attack on Ukraine.
The drivers made a sign of peace during the tests in Bahrain, for example by unfurling a placard with the inscription “No War” (No War) on the home stretch of the circuit in Sakhir.
Other symbolic acts are likely to follow.
Mick Schumacher's US team Haas even parted ways with Russian title sponsor Uralkali and second driver Nikita Masepin from Russia.
Who are the World Cup favorites this season?
As world champion, of course, Max Verstappen.
The Dutchman from Red Bull was able to snatch the World Championship from Lewis Hamilton in the controversial finale in Abu Dhabi last year and turned by far the fastest lap at the end of the test on Saturday.
Verstappen starts this season with the champion's number 1 and wants to mark an era.
Hamilton wants to prevent that and win his eighth World Cup.
That would make him the sole record champion ahead of Michael Schumacher.
"I feel fresher than ever," said Hamilton before the start of the season, but after the tests he expressed doubts about his racing team's immediate ability to win.
His Mercedes team amazed the competition in Bahrain with a car without real side boxes.
A stroke of genius?
Or could even a Ferrari with Charles Leclerc or Carlos Sainz create the world championship sensation?
Which German pilots are at the start?
Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher.
Vettel is contesting his second season with the English factory team Aston Martin.
The four-time world champion is also hoping for a return to the top with the new team boss Mike Krack, whom he knows from their BMW Sauber days.
Ideally, you can "fight for victories and podiums", Vettel expressed his hope.
Aston Martin still has a German reserve driver in Nico Hülkenberg.
After a year of training with the backbencher team Haas, Mick Schumacher wants to score points for the first time.
The Zoff with the masepins and delays in the Bahrain tests were anything but optimal preparation.
After the dismissal of Michael Masi as race manager, there is also a German in Niels Wittich as the head referee of Formula 1.
Is Formula 1 finally driving in Germany again?
Formula 1 avoids Germany.
The Nürburgring and Hockenheimring are still interested in the product, but it is simply too expensive for them.
In other countries, the respective state or private investors help to pay the inaugural fees, which run into the millions.
In Germany, the routes have to refinance themselves.
Therefore, for the time being, it remains the case that the Nürburgring 2020 only stepped in as a Corona temporary help.
However, Formula 1 continues to expand in other countries.
In the current 22 Grand Prix calendar, a second USA race will take place in May, when Miami will be held for the first time.
Where is Formula 1 on TV?
For the second year in a row, all races are only available to customers of the pay TV channel Sky.
On free-to-air television, motorsport fans can again only watch four races on RTL.
On April 24, the Cologne-based broadcaster will start broadcasting the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix live in Imola.
The other races of the free TV broadcaster should be Silverstone (July 3rd), Zandvoort (September 4th) and Sao Paulo (November 13th).
RTL has acquired the necessary sub-licenses from Sky.
dpa