Why we already know the 2022 F1 Champion…

By Joe Murphy

It is well worth a big backing at the Bookmakers this one. Lewis Hamilton has it all set up perfectly, to win his eighth World Championship in 2022. Certain situations and developments make this more likely, than in most years previously.

Firstly, Lewis will still be reeling over the conclusion of the 2021 season, happening only a matter of weeks ago at the time of writing. Perhaps not in anger, but in disappointment and shock more than anything. Therefore, despite entering his sixteenth season in F1, should he return to the grid next year, he will be hungrier and more determined than ever.

Moreover, he has the credentials, the experience and still more records to set. Because of his remarkable success, Lewis Hamilton already has achieved more than most, if not all, to ever race in Formula 1. He already holds the most amount of race wins, podiums and pole positions of anybody in the history of the sport, as well as holding many other statistical awards. Any further achievements in relation to these, will only extend these records, which already seem to be unassailable. However, still two records are there to be won. The outright most successful driver regarding World Championship wins, and the most number of races started. Should Hamilton return for at least two more seasons, after all the recent speculation of a premature retirement, then he has a huge chance to be the undeniable greatest of all time.

Regarding this upcoming season specifically, because of the grid being set the way it is, this is Hamilton’s best chance to win that record title, for a number of reasons.

Take Ferrari. They will undoubtedly improve and be a lot closer to the #44 Mercedes. However, despite Sainz and Leclerc getting closer, a gap that has been pretty big in the last couple of seasons, won’t close completely overnight. The eight-time consecutive Constructors Champions will still hold an advantage at most circuits on the calendar. 2023 and 2024, that may be a different question, but for next year, the Mercedes will be distinctively quicker.

When we consider Red Bull, having put all their eggs into the 2021 basket, Mercedes should be quicker than even them. Not at every circuit, of course, but no doubt at the majority. As referenced in Wheel2Wheel’s most recent article, the Silver Arrows look odds on to win that ninth in a row, come next December.

So with Red Bull going backwards slightly, Ferrari going forward but not quite forward enough and McLaren not yet at that level on a consistent basis, that only leaves one other challenger. George Russell will surely win a Grand Prix this year. And sure, he will inevitably add to his tally of one solitary podium so far in his F1 career. Nevertheless, the younger Brit holds one of the most coveted seats in motorsport, and in his debut season, will not want to rock the boat in any way. Like Valtteri Bottas before him, George will recognise he is, for now, the second driver at the team. He will have eyes on becoming that number one driver in the future, there is no quarrel about it, but you can expect Russell to play the team game for the next year at least.

This sets up Lewis Hamilton wonderfully, in his bid for more World Championship glory. He dealt with the setback in 2016 when Nico Rosberg defeated him, by going on to win four titles on the bounce. Whilst a dominance to that extent is extremely unlikely, another World Championship is highly possible, if not probable.