Drivers: a notable change in the top teams
The grid hasn't changed much this winter.
Briton George Russell (24), Mercedes rookie, is the only change within the teams aiming for the world title.
Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo) will become the very first Chinese in Formula 1 at the age of 22. The 25-year-old Thai Alexander Albon, former Toro Rosso driver (now AlphaTauri) then Red Bull in 2019 and 2020, returns to the discipline after a year of absence, at Williams.
Similar journey for Kevin Magnussen: after a year out of F1, the 29-year-old Dane returns to his former Haas team.
He replaces at short notice the Russian Nikita Mazepin, dismissed as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
To discover
Formula 1: the calendar for the 2022 season
Formula 1: manufacturers' classification
Formula 1: drivers classification
George Russell, Lewis Hamilton's new teammate at Mercedes GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP
A record number of 23 races
The season calendar has 23 meetings, including a new race in Miami scheduled for May 8.
Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi scheduled for the end of September has been cancelled, but should be replaced by a new event.
2022 will also be synonymous with a big comeback for the Japanese (October 9) and Australian (April 10) Grands Prix.
The great barnum of F1 will obviously put down his suitcases in France, at Le Castellet, on July 24.
Read alsoFormula 1: the calendar of the season
Even tighter budgets at 128 million euros per season
The budget cap introduced last season will be further reduced this year and set at 140 million dollars (around 128 million euros) for 21 races (then an additional 1.2 million for each additional race when the calendar has 23) - against 145 million in 2021, and some 500 million around the biggest teams like Ferrari or Mercedes before.
However, this ceiling does not include everything: marketing expenses, the salaries of the pilots and those of the three highest paid members per team are notably excluded.
The Haas team, like the entire line-up, cannot exceed a budget of $140 million this season.
Panoramic
A new points scale to avoid reliving the 2021 Spa fiasco
In Belgium last year, the race ended after just two laps behind the safety car and in a downpour.
Max Verstappen had been credited with half the points (12.5 instead of 25) for this victory at a discount.
A new scale has therefore been provided based on the distance travelled:
.
If the leader has completed only two laps or less, without the intervention of a safety car (or a virtual safety car): no points are awarded.
.
More than two laps but less than 25% of the planned distance, only the first five will score points: 6 pts for the “
winner
” then 4 for the second, 3 for the third, 2 for the fourth and 1 point for the fifth .
.
Between 25% and 50% of the planned distance, the first ten will score points: 13 pts for the first then 10, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
.
Between 50% and 75% of the planned distance, the first ten will earn points according to another scale: 19 pts for the first then 14, 12, 9, 8, 6, 5, 3, 2, 1.
.
More than 75%, the "
normal
" scale: 25 pts for the first then 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1.
The Belgian Grand Prix under a deluge in 2021. Panoramic
New technical regulations and transformed single-seaters
Formula leaders have promised more spectacle and more overtaking on the track, based on new technical regulations that have changed the face of single-seaters.
These now weigh 798 kg heavier (752 kg last year).
Their look is more massive with new larger tires (18 inch rims against 13, 72 cm diameter wheels against 66 previously).
Regarding aerodynamics, rather than creating support with very elaborate front and rear fins and numerous appendages on the chassis, the single-seaters will now use the ground effect, comparable to a suction cup effect under the car.
So when two F1s follow each other, the second should not be as bothered as before by the turbulence produced by its predecessor, which should encourage overtaking.
All these reforms should lead to slower cars, "
between 5/10th and 1 second
" per lap on average according to Pirelli in a projection.
But these forecasts do not take into account the development potential and the ingenuity of the teams.
Read alsoFormula 1: a revolution for (even) more thrills
After the controversy in Abu Dhabi, a "VAR" invites itself to Formula 1
After the controversial decisions of former race director Michael Masi last December in Abu Dhabi, which led to the coronation of Max Verstappen by breaking away from the letter of the regulations, F1 is also changing its arbitration.
Two race directors will officiate alternately, supported by the arrival of a "
virtual race control room
" on the model of video refereeing (VAR) in football.
Max Verstappen ahead of Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi last season.
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Three sprint races rewarding the top eight in the standings
F1 tested a qualifying sprint race format in 2021.
The goal ?
Provide entertainment over three days with "normal" qualifications, i.e. time trials on Friday, which define the starting order for a 100km race on Saturday, which itself defines the grid start of the GP on Sunday.
F1 wanted six sprint races this season to boost audiences but the teams opposed it.
There will therefore be three, Emilia-Romagna (April 24), Austria (July 10) and Brazil (November 13).
These will be better rewarded: 8 points for the first to 1 for the 8th.
In 2021 only the first three got bonus points.
A fuel that is similar to that of Mr. Everyman
This year, the single-seaters will be powered by unleaded gasoline composed of 10% ethanol, similar to what everyday cars consume.
The discipline has set itself the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and this change in the regulations is a (small) step towards this ambition.
F1 is lagging behind in this area compared to the World Endurance Championship, which will use 100% renewable fuel this season, which should allow a 65% reduction in CO2 emissions on the track, according to the organizer.
Lando Norris and the McLaren in the pits.
Panoramic
Pilots who get closer to the public
As is done in the World Endurance Championship, Formula 1 will bring its stars closer to the grid of the public who go to the circuits.
Every Grand Prix Saturday, the drivers will be present for an autograph session for an hour and a half in total.
Each pilot will have the obligation to be present at least fifteen minutes in front of the fans.
Lewis Hamilton during pre-season testing in Bahrain.
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Lewis Hamilton is about to... change his name
The Briton, according to the
BBC
, said he was going to change his name to incorporate the surname of his mother Carmen and race under the name of Hamilton-Larbalestier.
“
I'm really proud of my family name.
My mom's name is Larbalestier and I'm about to put it in my name.
I really want his name to continue with the name Hamilton.
I don't really understand the idea that when people get married, the woman loses her name.
The driver, whose parents divorced when he was a child, said he is "
working
" on the name change but will not be official for the Bahrain Grand Prix this Sunday.
Read alsoFormula 1: Lewis Hamilton-Mercedes, the empire strikes back