THE ‘top’ half of the F1 grid had contrasting experiences and fortunes in 2022. For some, it was a season that started with serious momentum and, in the case of Ferrari, a newfound belief that just maybe they were on the road to championship glory. But for others, like McLaren, it was a disappointing journey in a season that would have been earmarked as one with huge potential.
Red Bull
A stellar season all round for Red Bull netted Max Verstappen a second consecutive driver’s title and the team’s first constructor’s win since 2013. The season started with a worrying run of unreliability, but it was soon rectified.
Credit must go to Honda, too, who have built a stunning power unit that is the cream of F1 racing at the moment. There’s a lot of pride in Japan and Honda and this will leave them not only further vindicated but also with some thoughts of re-entering the sport with their own team once again.
There aren’t many superlatives left on the table when it comes to Verstappen. It is clear that the Dutchman is performing at the top of his powers and there is even less to suggest that it may continue for some time yet. For Checo Perez, there were moments in 2022 that truly underlined his class and talent. But there needs to be more of that if 2023 is going to be a year in which the Mexican driver consistently challenges for the title.
Ferrari
Ah Ferrari. Given the way the season started it looked as if 2022 might just be their year. But it was, inevitably, followed by not only some unreliability but some dubious strategy calls and driver errors.
The first title in 15 years was off the table fairly quickly after that.
There is little doubt that Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are a strong driver-pairing but the questions about the rest of the internal structure are being asked. So much so, that team boss, Mattia Binnotto, has already offered his resignation.
Rumour is that Alfa Romeo principal, Fred Vasseur, may in line for the top job at Ferrari.
Mercedes
There aren’t many who would have predicated the staggeringly bad start to the season that Mercedes experienced.
The expectation would have been as it were for the whole of the hybrid era – another season on top of the standings with, perhaps, a stern challenge from Red Bull.
So, when Lewis Hamilton failed to get out of Q3 in Saudi Arabia, it raised more than a few eyebrows.
And it was clear that a ‘fix’ to the W13 wouldn’t happen overnight.
Still, George Russell shone in his first season as Merc driver. More than a few times he showed Hamilton the way home. And in addition to his first Grand Prix win in Brazil, he finished the season ahead, on points, of his seven-time champion team. That is no mean feat. It’s important to note too that Mercedes began to understand the car towards the end of 2022 and given that much of this car will carry over to next year, they should be well in position to challenge at the sharp end.
Alpine
The French team that could, but never quite does. For years, the Enstone team has promised to advance up the grid only to fall short. In truth, but for a few good performances from Fernando Alonso, it’s difficult to recall any other standout performances from the team. Instead, it’s been a season mired by unreliability and the loss of the experienced Alonso to Aston Martin.
McLaren
Outside of those that competed, and lost, for the grand prize of the championship, McLaren would likely end the season as the most disappointed. Zak Brown and his team would have started 2022 with high expectations. A new era of cars, combined with a seriously impressive workforce, promised much but ultimately delivered little. In fact, 2022 was, overall, a fairly poor year for the Woking-based team.
Add to this the struggles of one Daniel Ricciardo, finishing behind Alpine in the standings, and 2022 will likely be a season that McLaren would want to forget as soon as possible.
The 2023 F1 season starts in Bahrain on March 5.
