With so many twists and turns already having occurred this season, the saying “anything can happen in Formula 1” has never been so true. With a surprise race winner, multiple teams finishing on the podium, nine teams attaining points finishes and even a Ferrari on pole, it has become nearly impossible to guess what is going to happen next. However, Joe Murphy is going to have a go, nonetheless…
Russell to get Valtteri’s Mercedes seat
As a huge fan of Finn Valtteri Bottas, it pains this writer to predict that, unfortunately, his time feels like it is up at Mercedes. Despite still very much ahead in the Constructor’s Championship, the seven-time champions are under growing pressure to replace the teammate of Lewis Hamilton. Whilst this could feasibly be Mercedes protégé Estaban Ocon, or even an outside move such as Formula E’s De Vries or Pierre Gasly, most likely is Williams’ George Russell. The Brit may have had rotten luck when deputising for Lewis in Bahrain last year, but he still managed to impress. At the time, it felt very much like a warmup act for a potential future role. Having scored his first points during the most recent race in Hungary, George may feel he has unfinished business with the British Constructor. However, he would surely have to accept the move to the Silver Arrows, should a contract come to fruition. The future is less certain for Valtteri Bottas. Would he return to Williams, a team where he did so well? Surely this depends on his other options in this eventuality. It would be a shame to lose the nine-time race winner, from the sport.
Haas will fail to score a point, Williams to hold off Alfa Romeo…
Not the most outlandish prediction Wheel2wheel has ever made, but Haas don’t look like they could score a point between either driver, even if the season were one hundred races long. With Schumacher and Mazepin both making their F1 debut’s simultaneously, expectations couldn’t have been sky high, but surely nobody predicted quite that big a fall from grace. As seen most recently in Hungary, anything can indeed happen in the world of Formula 1, but the car has a worrying lack of pace and is literal seconds off Williams and Alfa Romeo, let alone the top teams. Mick Schumacher showed a slither of something positive by keeping Max Verstappen behind him more multiple laps, albeit in almost literally half a car, and then even frustrating Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes for a fleeting period of time. Whether this was down to the Hungary circuit layout or actual Haas car, is slightly up for debate, however. After rewatching Netflix’s Drive to Survive, you’d be forgiven for forgetting that Haas were a top ten and Q3 staple, only a handful of years ago. A developmental season in every aspect, 2022 can’t come quick enough.
A Sainz race win on the cards?
Well, it certainly could happen. If Estaban Ocon’s recent victory shows spectators anything, it’s that anything is possible. Sainz is a driver who has proven he deserves to be at the top of Formula 1 and is in a car, as seen with Charles Leclerc in Monaco and Baku, which can be at the front of the grid. If Max and Lewis were to tussle again, it has to be Ferrari that is capitalising on these mistakes. With Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez probing they have flaws, a win for the Spaniard could happen in the right circumstances. It is the main thing missing from a man who is already having a strong season, consisting of multiple podiums. It is surely a case of ‘when’ rather than if Carlos Sainz can become a Grand Prix winner. Whether it is indeed this season or not, remains to be seen. If not Carlos, then a Lando Norris triumph would be equally as delightful, and probably as likely an outcome.
Bottas to pip Lando to third, Mercedes to narrowly beat Red Bull to constructors…
Given the car pace advantage, this would have been a dead certain outcome to most people prior to the start of this seasons world championship. However, the way things have panned out, Lando Norris is currently third in the driver’s championship standings. Ahead of a Red Bull and Mercedes as we approach halfway, the young Brit has no doubt had a super season in his McLaren. That being said, Valtteri’s misfortune should even itself out over the season. It is easy to forget that he is still in technically the best car and there are multiple races ahead where the Finn should at least finish on the podium. In contrast, it is questionable whether Lando can keep up his current run of strong points finishes. This resurgence is needed for Valtteri who will want to make it difficult for Mercedes to part company with him. With Sergio Perez also inconsistent, it seems as if the constructors title will go to whoever can get the most out of their “number two” drivers, for lack of a better phrase. Bottas has this experience, having guided Mercedes to seven on the bounce. With most of the remaining tracks favouring the Silver Arrows in the past, W2W predicts that number eight, is a matter of months away.
Lewis Hamilton to hold off Max, but to fight him until the end…
With the title realistically between two drivers, it is a straight up choice between Max and Lewis. They have been the two outstanding performers and seem a level above the rest at times. As stated above, the experience and ‘second-half of the season’ record of both Mercedes and Hamilton should be enough for the record breaking eighth driver’s title. Unlike recent years, however, Max Verstappen should push the Brit right up to the wire. The penultimate race or even final outing in Abu Dhabi could be where the title is decided. Like with a Sainz race win, it is surely a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ the Dutchman wins a world title, but it is unlikely to be this year. That being said, expect Max to push car number 44 all the way with surely many more intense battles in store, from now until December. This rivalry is, without doubt, the 2021 version of Senna v Prost.
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