Reliability seems pretty bulletproof for the top teams. I expect more a Ferrari/Max duel for the race.
I don’t think Merc are anywhere at the moment. They are obviously struggling big time and whilst their side pods are interesting, the mega porpoising they’ve been suffering isn’t yet sorted out. RB look really strong. Way stronger than anyone seems to appreciate. Ferrari look solid, but I’m yet convinced they’ve got the outright pace. So… my prediction is as follows:- Max and Checo disappear at the start never to be seen again - easy 1-2. At least 1s per lap advantage over everybody else. Congrats Adrian Newey, the aero genius, on delivering the 2022 WCC car, and to Max for wining the WDC by the end of the summer. Charles and Sainz deliver solid performances with Sainz continuing where he left off and taking P3 for the scuderia. Beyond that, no idea. I think Merc will struggle to make it to the end of the race with mechanical issues brought on by excessive porpoising. McLaren will dnf. Alpine, Alpha Tauri and Aston fight it out for the remaining points. Williams continue to improve. Haas beats Alfa. (Note - All these predictions come from my Mk2022 crystal ball and are therefore likely to be utter garbage…)
Yes, reliability could be a problem for Mercedes. At worst, you can even imagine their 2 cars having extra pit stops. Once to fix new rear mirrors, the first ones having broken off from vibrations. Also a change of helmet for one of their drivers who has vomited in his from sea sickness. Each time Christain Horner will protest the move.
Merc will have a new floor on friday. They'll turn up the engine modes. They'll be up there fighting for pole and win, if not dominate.
Flollowed?! Since when do they allow flovis in the races? A new way to fight off those catching you; throwing buckets of fluo paint at them? Medieval battle tactics;-)
Every top team will turn up with revised floors and aero for Friday. That’s why they test. But I’m not convinced by Merc. Their testing was terrible. They clearly haven’t fixed their porpoising issue and without that they will be nowhere. Turning up engine modes and going faster is just likely to increase their porpoising problems. I think they are in a world of pain for at least the first 2 back to back races. Redbull are going to destroy everyone. Easy win for Max. I’m hopeful that Ferrari will get a podium but a long way off the pace.
We'll see...2021 Bahrain testing all the ''experts'' where saying just how bad Mercedes was and that they where really off the pace, car was nearly undrivable. First quali comes round and suddenly the car is amazing. It's the same year in year out. It's always Ferrari/Red Bull looking great in testing, the "experts" track side saying we have a change of the guard finally, and come first race they act all amazed how Mercedes is on pole by a second. Good excuse to write more articles about the wonderful Mercedes F1 team... For all we know Merc drove the entire test with full tanks and low engine modes. That'll make it look to handle poorly...
Agreed re 2021 - but that was a well understood formula of regs and easy to put right. 2022 is completely different. Mercs engine advantage has gone and success this year is all about aero and handling. Both of these are Redbull strengths. I think Merc will struggle for a couple of races but once they sort out the porpoising, we will definitely see them competitive. Ferrari worries me. Every year they serenely run through testing only to be found lacking on race pace. They have questionable aero capability and the weakest PU. I hope I’m wrong this year!
I desperately hope you're wrong, too! I do think Merc will remain to have the strongest engine package. With last years' loophole not closed (replacing the ICE more frequently at only a 5p grid penalty cost....places regained easily in a couple of laps due to insane power advantage). Ferrari appear to have made a significant jump in power. Honda is very close to 2021 level. Renault however is just terrible, though I guess expected since they hyped it so much it was bound to be another failure. IF we are to believe Mercedes have REAL issues, Ferrari look good for easy podiums if not double podiums. The last day of testing Max looked really comfortable with the car though, so challenging for a win whilst possible, not as strong a possibility at the beginning of the tests...now IF the Mercedes problems are real, they could even see themselves fight with Mclaren for 3rd best team...But I have a feeling that Mclaren was running light in the tests in order to reduce strain on their fragile brakes and fish for a sponsor or 2.
^^^ Totally agree re McLaren. The press are saying they looked fast. I thought they looked terrible. They understeered badly, had poor reliability and just didn’t show the easy pace of Redbull or Ferrari. I’m expecting Redbull to have a very satisfying first two races before Merc get on top of their issues and start to challenge. By then, redbull and max could have a lead which is unassailable. Mercs driver pairing is also bound to cause them issues as I expect Russel to seriously challenge Lewis this year. I’m expecting Ferrari to be a solid 3rd place in the wcc again, but if mercs issues prove more fundamental, they could even challenge for 2nd. Fingers crossed!
Laughing at everyone who thinks Lulu will be in the top 3. Yeah, they're king of sandbagging, but that car looks like its in trouble already. No sandbagging necessary. Hope we see a 3 way battle between Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari.
