The 2021 Formula One season was one of the finest in living memory, with Max Verstappen taking the title from Lewis Hamilton at the death in controversial circumstances after a thrilling 22-race season.
As ever with modern F1, the new season will soon be upon us and with it a new breed of cars and a possible – and hopeful – shake-up of the order. It will be the longest season in F1’s history with a total of 23 rounds and potentially six sprint qualifying races, too.
Will it be Hamilton vs Verstappen again? Will Ferrari be resurgent? Read below for all the latest on what we know at this early stage about the upcoming 2022 season.
When does pre-season testing take place?
The first pre-season test, where the new 2022 cars will run in anger for the first time, runs for three days, from Wednesday February 23 until Friday February 25 at the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya.
There is then a gap of two weeks before the second three-day test, which runs from Friday March 11 until Sunday March 13 and takes place at the Sakhir International Circuit in Bahrain.
When is the first race?
The 2022 F1 season kicks off in Bahrain on Sunday March 20, though the first practice session takes place two days before on Friday March 18 and qualifying runs on Saturday March 19.
How are the 2022 cars different?
For a more in-depth look at the changes for 2022 and who the new regulations might favour, you can read our analysis and verdict here.
When are the car launch dates?
None have been confirmed yet but they usually range from a few weeks before the first test until even the first day of testing. Mid February will likely be the busiest time but we will keep you updated here for all the latest news on the hotly anticipated 2022 cars.
Will there be sprint qualifying races this year?
Yes. Following on from the trial of three sprint qualifying races in 2021, F1 has proposed a doubling of that to six for the upcoming season. The sprint races will be approximately 100km – or a third of a grand prix distance – and will run on Saturday, with the traditional three-part qualifying setting the grid for the sprint and taking place on the Friday.
Points will be awarded again, possibly more than the 3-2-1 set up for first, second and third that we had last year but who is declared the pole winner is to be decided.
The six sprint races are planned at the following rounds:
Round 1, Bahrain
Round 4, Imola
Round 9, Canada
Round 11, Austria
Round 15, Holland
Round 22, Brazil
What are the driver line-ups?
Unlike the previous few years there are very few driver changes this season, with seven of the 10 teams retaining the same line-up, two teams making one change (Williams and Mercedes) and one team with a completely new line-up (Alfa Romeo).
The only rookie is Alfa Romeo’s Guanyu Zhou, who becomes the first driver from China to race in F1. Alexander Albon returns for Williams after two seasons at Toro Rosso and Red Bull in 2019 and 2020.
Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton (44) and George Russell (63)
Red Bull: Max Verstappen (33) and Sergio Pérez (11)
Ferrari: Carlos Sainz (55) and Charles Leclerc (55)
McLaren: Lando Norris (4) and Daniel Ricciardo (3)
Alpine: Fernando Alonso (14) and Esteban Ocon (31)
AlphaTauri: Pierre Gasly (10) and Yuki Tsunoda (22)
Aston Martin: Sebastian Vettel (5) and Lance Stroll (18)
Williams: Nicholas Latifi (6) and Alexander Albon (23)
Alfa Romeo: Valtteri Bottas (77) and Guanyu Zhou (24)
Haas: Mick Schumacher (47) and Nikita Mazepin (9)
What is the full calendar?
March 18-20: Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir
March 25-27: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jeddah
April 8-10: Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne
April 22-24: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Imola
May 6-8: Miami Grand Prix, Miami
May 20-22: Spanish Grand Prix, Catalunya
May 27-29: Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo
June 10-12: Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku
June 17-19: Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal
July 1-3: British Grand Prix, Silverstone
July 8-10: Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg
July 22-24: French Grand Prix, Le Castellet
July 29-31: Hungarian Grand Prix, Budapest
August 26-28: Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps
September 2-4: Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort
September 9-11: Italian Grand Prix, Monza
September 23-25: Russian Grand Prix, Sochi
September 30-October 2: Singapore Grand Prix, Singapore
October 7-9: Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka
October 21-23: United States Grand Prix, Austin
October 28-30: Mexico City Grand Prix, Mexico City
November 11-13: Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Interlagos
November 18-20: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina
How to watch the season
As has been the case for some time now, in the United Kingdom, Sky Sports F1 have near exclusive coverage rights for the season. They will be showing all practice sessions, qualifying sessions, sprint qualifying and races throughout the season.
Channel 4 will have their extended qualifying and race highlights again, with the British Grand Prix in July broadcast live.
If you are outside of the UK you may also be able to subscribe to F1’s own F1TV for a monthly fee throughout the season.
What are the odds for the 2022 championships?
Drivers
Lewis Hamilton Evens
Max Verstappen 9/4
George Russell 9/2
Charles Leclerc 16/1
Carlos Sainz 25/1
Sergio Perez 33/1
Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso 40/1
Daniel Ricciardo 60/1
Constructors
Mercedes 2/5
Red Bull 5/2
Ferrari: 17/2
McLaren 33/1
Alpine 40/1
AlphaTauri 50/1
Aston Martin 66/1
Alfa Romeo 250/1
Haas 250/1