A Constructor to leave F1? Max v Lewis rivalry boils over? Schumacher to Ferrari? 5 More Outlandish Predictions for 2022…

By Joe Murphy

As the last article was such a success, I thought I’d do a second installment. Ahead of the overall predictions piece due to be released by the end of the week, let’s consider some more outrageous possibilities that have the potential to occur in Formula 1 this year…

Max and Lewis to take their rivalry up a notch…

Yes, not really an “outlandish” estimate this one, but if I start with something correct, the article may seem more plausible and make Wheel2Wheel Reports look, at the very least, respectable. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton is already the Prost-Senna or Lauda-Hunt of this era. Whereas Max Verstappen will not, and should not change his aggressive racing style, I expect a hungrier Lewis Hamilton who will start to not back out of confrontational situations, both on and off the track. Therefore, as we witnessed last season in Monza, Imola, Silverstone and Saudi Arabia, comings together between the two could be even more frequent. This could mean that opportunities for other drivers to win races, occurs. Speaking of…

Sebastian Vettel to add to race win tally…

I don’t know of anyone who wouldn’t want to see this. After being devastating robbed of a 2nd placed podium in Hungary last year, there is a chance for the German to go one better in 2022. Envisage a situation where Max and Lewis are both out, perhaps there is rain aswell. The four time world champion could use his vast experience and controlled race craft to navigate his car to the front, and then use the improved Aston Martin car’s power to keep it there.

Yuki to bring the fight to Pierre…

Whilst it is almost certainly too ambitious to say that Yuki Tsunoda will edge out Pierre Gasly this year, he could close that gap, even considerably. Firstly, if points are harder to come by, then that narrows the gap immediately. Moreover, with the Japanese star no longer a rookie and instead a man with a year’s F1 experience, then he is certainly in a better position to challenge his French teammate. He will also be expected to up his game, otherwise there is no guarantee for his seat beyond December of this year.

Haas to leave F1, but a replacement to be waiting…

A monumental prediction this one, but not totally uninformed. Haas have experienced issues with cash flow in previous years. In fact, it isn’t at all controversial so argue that Mazepin’s money is keeping the team afloat, hence Nikita maintaining his seat despite a poor first season. That being said, pressure will start to grow. Someone like Lance Stroll has proven his has what it takes, with his pole position and podium finishes. Mazepin is well off this. He could be forced out and, with that, the invetsemnt dies too. With a rumoured Andretti Team waiting in the wings, Haas could struggle to remain in the sport. Ultimately, it could come down to race results. The American constructor cannot afford to mirror results of the last campaign. Whilst leaving F1 this year is probably too much of a stretch, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility for Haas to declare they are leaving the sport at the end of 2023. With a new team taking to the grid in 2024, possibly under the Andretti guise and potentially keeping much of the staff of the team. But what about one of Haas’drivers?

We will see Mick Schumacher in a Ferrari, this year…

Now, hold on. I am not suggesting for a moment that Carlos Sainz or Charles Leclerc are at risk of losing their seat with the Italian team. In fact, they are arguably one of the most solid pairings on the grid and are the perfect choices to lead Ferrari forward into this new era, and make them competitive again. That being said, we are living in the Covid era. Even if such athletes may even go symptomless, isolation is still the rule of the day. The means, either one of Sainz or Leclerc could miss a Grand Prix. As reserve driver, this could mean we see Mick Schumacher, albeit for one race, racing in a Ferrari. Just like his old man. Now wouldn’t that be a flashback?