Formula 1 is the international single-seater racing that is run by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile). The cars race between the speeds of 200-300 mph on closed public roads that have tight turns and slight elevation changes. Those closed public roads are races which are called Grand Prix. 

Believe it or not, there is even a local company with a formula team. Haas Automation headquarters are located in Oxnard California. Since joining F1 racing in 2016, have accumulated a total of 122 races and 200 points. They have yet to win a race but never say never. 

After the nail-biter of a 2021-22 season last year, the teams and drivers are getting ready for another battle for the championship. With the new lineup of 20 drivers and 10 teams for this year, who will take the championship this year? Will Red Bull take another overall victory or will Mercedes not allow that to happen? As the start of the Formula 1 season for 2022- 23 is just a month away, let’s place some predictions for this season.

We can assume it will be another grudge match between Mercedes and Red Bull, but we can’t count out the other teams just yet. With Ferrari ranking No.3 for the teams and McLaren ranking No.4 for last season, they’re both ready to race and leave the other competitors in the dust. 

The team revealing events are able to show the new cars that each team has been building for the new season. Not all the reveal events have happened yet, but the ones that have been released — Haas, Red Bull, Aston Martin and McLaren — are setting the bar. 

Aston Martins released their car with a new livery and set of mechanics. This team focused more on the tires aspect when it comes to racing. According to Formula 1, “It’s not just new cars that Green and his team have had to get their heads around this winter but new tires too, with Formula 1 moving from 13-inch to 18-inch Pirelli rubber for 2022, with Green saying of the change: ‘We are hoping that the tires will allow the drivers to attack more during the race.’”  

These new tires are designed to have better racing and allow the drivers to be able to attack more during the actual race, increasing Aston Martin’s chances of having a good season. 

But who’s going to come out on top for the drivers is a whole other story. After last season, Hamilton is not going to lose another race let alone another one to the young Verstappen, because if Hamilton loses again, Toto Wolff and Hamilton will be throwing yet another temper tantrum — especially after the final race last season and Mercedes protested the last lap corner stunt that the FIA pulled.

Most of the teams such as McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari and Williams are staying with the same drivers, but teams like Mercedes and Haas have new drivers. These new drivers might have an impact on the season and who the winners will be. 

Mick Schumacher of Hass is the son of F1 hall of famer Micheal Schumacher. Micheal was a 7-time driver champ and accumulated a total of 91 race wins in his 18 years career. His son Mick raced for F2 under the team Haas-Ferrari and with that, he won the whole season. According to FiaFormula2, “Rarely seen without a grin on his face, or his trademark red baseball cap, the German’s efforts were rewarded in Budapest, as he returned the Schumacher name to the top step of the podium on an F1 weekend, following a defensive victory in the Sprint Race.” 

With that major win in both F3 and F2, Mick is stepping up to the big plate. Following his father’s footsteps, he can either live up to the expectations and run with it or crack under the pressure. That’s up to Mick now, and that name with the Haas team can affect the standing of the teams. 

Another driver that is bursting onto the scene is George Russell who originally drove for Williams and now is driving for Mercedes. This isn’t the first time he is under this name. According to Autoblog, during the 2020-21 season, Russell was brought up to Mercedes for 1 race to cover for Lewis Hamilton after he tested positive for COVID-19. 

With that, Russell was able to show his talent and skill and to get on the podium for the Sakhir Grand Prix. That skill he showed also won him the spot on the Mercedes team. Will Russell outshine the famous Lewis Hamilton, or will he be left in the shadows? I believe he will and shouldn’t be discounted just yet. 

This season hasn’t started yet, but it’s going to be interesting till the last moment. And it’s lights out on the 2022-23 season.