2022 Formula One World Championship

The 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship was a motor racing championship for Formula One cars , which was the 73rd running of the Formula One World Championship . It is recognised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body of international motorsport , as the highest class of competition for open-wheel racing cars . The championship was contested over twenty-two Grands Prix , which were held around the world, and ended earlier than in recent years to avoid over...

Drivers and teams competed for the titles of World Drivers' Champion and World Constructors' Champion , respectively. The 2022 championship saw the introduction of significant changes to the sport's technical regulations with ground effect aerodynamics reintroduced on Formula One cars for the first time since 1982 . These changes had been intended to be introduced in 2021 , but were delayed until 2022 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic . [ 3 ] Max Verstappen , who was the reigning Drivers' Cha...

This was the final season for four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel . [ 7 ] Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton endured a difficult season with Mercedes , failing to secure either a pole position or Grand Prix win during the season, the first time either occurrence had happened in his Formula One career since it began in 2007 . [ 8 ] [ 9 ]

Throughout the season, each team had to field a driver in one of the first two free practice sessions who had not competed in more than two races, on two occasions, once for each car. [ 35 ] The following drivers were entered at selected events to drive in free practice:

Kimi Räikkönen retired following the conclusion of the 2021 championship; Räikkönen won 21 races, and the 2007 World Drivers' Championship across a 19-season Formula career. [ 43 ] Räikkönen's seat at Alfa Romeo was filled by fellow countryman Valtteri Bottas , who left Mercedes after 5 seasons. [ 44 ] George Russell replaced Bottas, [ 45 ] [ 46 ] vacating the seat that he had held for the past 3 seasons at Williams . Russell was replaced by former Red Bull Racing driver Alex Albon after competi...

Zhou Guanyu , who finished third in the 2021 Formula 2 Championship , joined Alfa Romeo, in place of Antonio Giovinazzi , who had been at the team since 2019. [ 48 ] [ 49 ] Zhou became the first Chinese driver to compete in Formula One. [ 48 ]

Nikita Mazepin was originally contracted to compete for Haas , as part of a multi-year contract that started in 2021. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resultant cancellation of Uralkali 's title sponsorship of Haas, his contract was terminated. [ 50 ] He was replaced by Kevin Magnussen , who had last competed in 2020 with the same team. [ 51 ]

Ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix , Sebastian Vettel tested positive for coronavirus . He was replaced at the event, and the subsequent Saudi Arabian Grand Prix by Aston Martin by reserve driver Nico Hülkenberg , who last raced at the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix , driving for former team Racing Point . [ 52 ] [ 53 ]

During the Italian Grand Prix weekend, Alex Albon suffered from appendicitis . He was replaced at Williams by the Mercedes reserve driver 2020–21 Formula E and 2019 Formula 2 Champion Nyck de Vries , who made his Formula One race debut. [ 54 ]

Michael Masi , who had served as race director since the death of Charlie Whiting in 2019 , was removed from the role of race director after an inquiry into the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix . As part of a restructuring of race control, Masi was replaced by former DTM race director Niels Wittich and World Endurance Championship race director Eduardo Freitas . The pair assumed the role on an alternating basis. Herbie Blash , Whiting's former deputy, was appointed as permanent senior advisor to the ra...

The FIA also introduced a new virtual race control system, much like the video assistant referee in football, as well as a ban on team communications that lobby race officials. Radio between teams and FIA officials also is no longer broadcast on television in order to protect race officials. Unlapping procedures were reassessed by the Formula One Sporting Advisory Committee following the controversy of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and presented prior to the start of the season. [ 66 ] [ 67 ] [ ...

Prior to the United States Grand Prix , the FIA abandoned the idea of rotating race directors, leaving Niels Wittich as the sole serving race director for the final four rounds of the championship. The rotation policy was not met with favourable reviews from drivers, as well as being in response to criticism of Eduardo Freitas's performance as race director at the Japanese Grand Prix . [ 69 ]

Teams have been further restricted in the number of aerodynamic upgrades they can introduce to the car, both over the course of a race weekend and over the course of the championship. These rules were introduced to further cut the costs of competing. [ 82 ] [ 83 ] Following the decision to delay the 2021 regulations to 2022, [ 3 ] aerodynamic development of the cars was banned from 28 March 2020 to the end of 2020. [ 84 ] [ 85 ]

In 2021, the championship introduced a sliding scale system to regulate aerodynamic testing. Under this system, the least successful teams in the previous year's World Constructors' Championship standings would be given additional time for aerodynamic testing. Conversely, the most successful teams would be given less time to complete testing. [ 86 ] [ 87 ] The system was trialled in 2021 with the results used to create a more formal, structured and steeper model for the 2022 championship. [ 88 ]

The introduction of ground effect meant that cars that ride high off the ground get less benefit from aerodynamic ground effects, which translates to slower speed on the track. [ 89 ] Conversely, cars that run low to the ground gain maximum speed and benefits from this effect, but only up to the point where airflow under the car is interrupted. When ground effect is interrupted, a car experiences an aerodynamic stall, and the car lifts from the track surface. When airflow re-establishes, the car...

By June 2022, several drivers had raised concerns about the effects of both of these problems. Haas 's Kevin Magnussen had complained of nerve issues, and both of Mercedes 's drivers had complained of back pain. [ 91 ] As a result, the FIA decided that from the Belgian Grand Prix onwards a technical directive would be introduced to prevent cars from porpoising and bottoming out to an unsafe level following safety and legality concerns in the first half of the season. The FIA's proposal was for a...

Discussions over the 2022 engine regulations began in 2017 and were finalised in May 2018. [ 94 ] [ 95 ] The proposed regulations involved removing the motor generator unit–heat ( MGU-H ) to simplify the technology used in the engine whilst raising the maximum rev limit by 3,000 rpm . [ 96 ] Further proposals dubbed "plug-and-play" would see engine suppliers bound by the regulations to make individual engine components universally compatible, allowing teams to source their components from multip...

The quota system of power unit components was continued in 2022, with teams given a limited number of individual components that can be used before incurring a penalty. [ 82 ]

The system of categorising parts was introduced to allow for design freedom as the overhaul to the aerodynamic regulations was highly prescriptive. [ 81 ]

Wheel diameter increased from 13 inches (33 cm) to 18 inches (46 cm). The 18-inch wheels were introduced into the Formula 2 Championship in 2020 to test changes in tyre behaviour. [ 103 ] It was originally proposed that the use of tyre warmers—electric blankets designed to keep the tyres at the optimal operating temperature when not in use—would be banned, [ 104 ] although this decision was later reversed after opposition from the tyre supplier Pirelli . [ 105 ] The temperature of the tyre blank...

Having been first trialled under the name "sprint qualifying" in 2021 , the format returned also for this championship with the name changed to "sprint". The weekend format was unchanged from 2021 and was run at the Emilia Romagna , Austrian , and São Paulo Grands Prix with points now awarded to the top eight finishers rather than the top three finishers as was the case in 2021. Unlike the previous season, the driver who sets the fastest time in qualifying was credited as the official polesitter...

Following the controversy surrounding the awarding of points at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix , which was only run behind the safety car, the criteria needed for points to be awarded for uncompleted events was altered. The requirement was changed so that no points were awarded unless a minimum of two laps had been completed under green flag conditions. Additionally, in the event of a race that was suspended and could not be restarted, points would be awarded as follows: [ 110 ] [ 111 ] [ 112 ]

The previous criteria had been in place for over 40 years prior to the change, last being altered some time between the 1977 and 1980 seasons . [ 113 ]

Additionally, the fastest lap point is now awarded only if a minimum of 50% of the scheduled race distance is completed while ending up in the top ten. [ 112 ]

In light of the controversy surrounding the safety car at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix , the procedures for the safety car restart were changed. Rather than waiting until the lap after the last car has unlapped itself from the leader, the safety car would now be withdrawn one lap after the instruction that lapped cars may unlap themselves has been given. [ 114 ] Additionally, the wording of the regulations was altered and now state that "all" cars rather than "any" cars will be allowed to unlap...

From the Australian Grand Prix onwards, the FIA started clamping down on the kinds of tactics Max Verstappen employed during the final safety car restart at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and at subsequent safety car restarts at the first two rounds of the championship, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, where he aggressively accelerated, braked, and drew alongside another car during the restart, trying to seek a tactical advantage over rival drivers. Drivers would be expected to drive in...

The rule that had been in place since 2014 , requiring drivers that advance to the third segment of qualifying to start the race on the tyres they used to set their fastest time in the second segment of qualifying, was scrapped; all drivers now have free choice of starting tyre for the race on Sunday at all events. [ 117 ]

In July, ahead of the 11th round, the Austrian Grand Prix , it was announced that the planned spending allowance of US$141.2 million would be increased by 3.1% after concerns that high inflation could lead to several teams spending over the originally planned budget cap. [ 118 ]

For the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix , Ferrari's Charles Leclerc took pole position , ahead of Red Bull driver and reigning champion Max Verstappen and Leclerc's teammate Carlos Sainz . [ 121 ] AlphaTauri 's Pierre Gasly caught fire and retired on lap 46. Leclerc won the Grand Prix ahead of teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. , making it a 1–2 finish for Ferrari , with Lewis Hamilton in third. The Red Bull cars of Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez both retired late in the closing laps with fuel issues,...

Pérez took his maiden pole position at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix , with the two Ferraris second and third ahead of Verstappen. [ 124 ] Only 18 drivers started the race, as Yuki Tsunoda 's AlphaTauri broke down on the way to the grid after a suspected drivetrain issue, [ 125 ] and Schumacher was withdrawn from the event after a crash in qualifying; [ 126 ] he would return to racing in the next round. [ 127 ] Pérez led the early laps and made a pitstop on lap 16. Williams 's Nicholas Latifi hit...

Leclerc won the Australian Grand Prix from pole position, set the fastest lap, and led every lap, getting the first grand slam for Ferrari since Alonso at the 2010 Singapore Grand Prix . [ 132 ] Pérez and Mercedes's George Russell took second and third, respectively. Pérez's teammate Verstappen was running second before he retired on lap 38 due to fuel leaks causing a fire. [ 133 ] Sainz spun out on the opening lap at turn 10 and Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel , who made his season debut after ...

Verstappen took pole position for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix sprint. Despite Leclerc overtaking him at the start, Verstappen recovered, using DRS to overtake him and win the sprint, ahead of Leclerc and teammate Pérez. Verstappen won Sunday's Grand Prix from pole position to achieve the second grand slam of his career, while Pérez finished in second to give Red Bull their first 1–2 finish since the 2016 Malaysian Grand Prix . [ 136 ] Leclerc ran in third for most of the race but spun on lap 5...

Leclerc led Sainz for a Ferrari front-row lock-out for the first edition of the Miami Grand Prix . [ 139 ] Behind them were the Red Bull drivers, Verstappen and Pérez, and Alfa Romeo's Bottas. [ 140 ] Stroll and Vettel, who respectively qualified 10th and 13th, started the race from the pit lane after a fuel temperature issue. [ 141 ] At the first corner on the opening lap, Verstappen overtook Sainz for second place and closed in on Leclerc, whom he passed for the lead on lap 9, as Leclerc strug...

Leclerc once again claimed pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix , in front of Pérez and Verstappen. [ 166 ] Pérez immediately overtook Leclerc in turn 1 and held the lead until lap 15, where Verstappen overtook him. [ 167 ] On lap 9, the virtual safety car was deployed after Sainz stopped at turn 4, due to a hydraulic issue. Then, on lap 20, after briefly taking the lead of the race, Leclerc suffered a power unit issue and pulled into the pits. [ 168 ] Magnussen and Zhou also retired from...

Sainz claimed his first pole position at the British Grand Prix . [ 174 ] Verstappen overtook him at turn one, before the race was red flagged following a multi-car crash, and was restarted with original positions, [ 175 ] meaning Sainz started first again. He kept first position off the second start, before being overtaken by Verstappen several laps in. Verstappen picked up damage to his floor and dropped down to seventh. [ 176 ] Sainz was then overtaken by Leclerc. Sainz, Pérez and Hamilton al...

Verstappen qualified on pole and won the second sprint of the championship at the Austrian Grand Prix . He was overtaken three times at various points by Leclerc, who eventually won the race. [ 177 ] Sainz was quicker than Verstappen and was on for an "easy one-two," [ 178 ] before a power unit issue saw him retire, [ 179 ] leaving Verstappen second and promoting Hamilton to third. [ 180 ]

Russell took his maiden pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix while Red Bull Racing struggled in qualifying, with Verstappen suffering MGU-K problems and Pérez unable to get a clean lap in Q2 leaving them tenth and eleventh on the grid. [ 181 ] Verstappen made a strong recovery drive, working his way up the order with better strategy and pace. Verstappen won from Hamilton, who recovered from seventh, following a DRS failure in qualifying. Russell came third after being passed by Hamilton wit...

The Belgian Grand Prix was the first race held after the August break, with several drivers taking on additional components and incurring grid penalties for doing so. [ 184 ] Sainz started the race from pole; Alonso and Hamilton made contact after a scrap at Les Combes. [ 185 ] Hamilton was forced to retire his car shortly afterwards, and an incursion between Latifi and Bottas on the second lap drew out the safety car . Verstappen made quick work of the cars ahead at the restart, with Pérez foll...

At the Dutch Grand Prix , Verstappen was able to beat Leclerc to pole at his home race. On lap 45, Tsunoda pulled over with an issue on the front-left tyre, however Tsunoda was told to continue, coming in a lap later for a change of tyres and to tighten his seatbelt, which he had loosened when he was preparing to abandon his car on the track. On lap 47, Tsunoda retired with a differential issue. This brought out a virtual safety car, allowing Verstappen to make a pit stop to keep the lead ahead ...

The Singapore Grand Prix was the first race wherein Verstappen could win the championship mathematically, needing to outscore Leclerc by 22 points, Pérez by 13 and George Russell by 6. If Verstappen came first with the fastest lap while Leclerc came eighth or lower and Pérez came fourth or lower, or if Verstappen came first without the fastest lap while Leclerc came ninth or lower and Pérez came either fourth without the fastest lap or fifth with, Verstappen would be the champion. [ 194 ] Lecler...

Following Verstappen's failure to secure the championship at the Singapore Grand Prix, several permutations could net him the championship at the following Japanese Grand Prix . He needed to outscore Leclerc by eight points and Pérez by six. [ 198 ] Verstappen would secure pole, in front of Leclerc, Sainz, and Pérez. The race began on time despite poor weather and was red-flagged after two laps following an accident involving Sainz. The deployment of the recovery vehicle during the red flag was ...

With the Drivers' Championship secured, Red Bull Racing set about securing their first Constructors' Championship since 2013 , which they did by outscoring Ferrari by twenty-two points at the United States Grand Prix . [ 202 ] Sainz took his third pole position of the season, [ 203 ] and was spun by George Russell into turn one and forced to retire due to the resulting damage. [ 202 ] Mercedes had a chance at winning after Lewis Hamilton took the lead through a very slow pit stop for Verstappen....

Verstappen took his sixth pole position and his fourteenth race win of the season at the Mexico City Grand Prix , breaking the record for most wins in a Formula One season, previously held jointly by Michael Schumacher ( 2004 ) and Sebastian Vettel ( 2013 ). Daniel Ricciardo made his way from thirteenth to seventh in sixteen laps while also dealing with a ten-second time penalty due to a collision with Yuki Tsunoda . [ 206 ] [ 207 ]

The São Paulo Grand Prix was the third and final sprint weekend of the season, meaning qualifying was on Friday, in wet conditions. Kevin Magnussen took the first pole position of his Formula One career, as well as Haas' first. [ 208 ] Magnussen was unable to keep the faster cars at bay during the sprint, and Mercedes were able to lock out the front row for the Grand Prix on Sunday, [ 209 ] which they converted into their first one-two finish since the 2020 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix , with Russe...

Points were awarded to the top ten classified drivers, the driver who set the fastest lap during the Grand Prix (only if one of the top ten), and the top eight of the sprint . [ 56 ] [ m ] In the case of a tie on points a countback system was used where the driver with the most Grand Prix wins was ranked higher. If the number of wins was identical then the number of second places was considered, and so on. The points were awarded for every race using the following system: [ 112 ]