Following the Barcelona pre-season testing, we’ve now been given a real insight into how the 2022 cars will behave on track.
After the height of controversy that arose towards the end of the 2021 season, fans have eagerly awaited the return of their favourite drivers and teams and many have already began to make predictions on how they think the season will play out.
One of the most noteworthy aspects of the three-day session was picked up by Ferrari fans. When the Italian team revealed their F1-75, comments flooded in surrounding the beauty of the car.
Arriving in Barcelona, this car did not disappoint. Ferrari left Spain with the highest mileage total and with 439 laps completed – more than any other team on the grid.
Ferrari finished in 5th and 7th place at the end of last season, placings which they earned after working hard and finishing strong in various GP’s. But now, many are wondering if they will be a force to reckon with as they promise to push even more this year.
The team are set to run a mostly unchanged car for the next Formula 1 testing in Bahrain, however, Mercedes and Red Bull are expected to bring some major upgrades.
Both seemed smooth and fast on track during Bahrain and proved to be reliable. Charles LeClerc is priced at 13/2 to win the World Driver’s Championship and if Ferrari have mastered the engineering of their car, then he may be one to keep an eye on.
Lando Norris is currently priced at 12/1 to win the World Driver's Championship having been one of the stars of the 2021 season.
The Bristol-born driver has already impressed and won over the hearts of the nation, as he took four podiums and a career-best sixth in the drivers’ standings in what was a life-changing season for the 22-year-old.
Signing his extended contract with McLaren that will see him in their car until at least 2025, the young Brit clearly has a whole host of talent and will be eager to
show that again this year.
All eyes will be on Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen as we head into the final few weeks before the first race in Bahrain, yet only time will tell who is set to impress.
There are now just over two weeks until we gather to spend our weekend rooting on our favourite drivers, and in this sport, anything can happen.
