The 2022 Formula 1 season will represent the beginning of a long-anticipated new technical regulation for the sport, as teams will have to rethink their Formula 1 projects and pursue different aerodynamic concepts, while also focusing on the introduction of the new 18-inch Pirelli tyres.
This is seen by everyone as a major chance to make an important step forward, with Scuderia Ferrari especially looking to return to the front of the gird after several seasons spent in the midfield zone, without the possibility of fighting for race wins.
The importance of the 2022 campaign and the introduction of the new rules determined the Maranello team to shift focus to this year’s project early in 2021, despite also being involved in a close battle with McLaren for P3 in the constructors’ championship, behind Mercedes and Red Bull. The Italian side eventually won the challenge against McLaren and finished third by 47.5 points in the final standings as Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz combined to score five podiums and two pole positions during the pervious championship.
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At the top of the standings, Mercedes and Red Bull found themselves embroiled in a close fight for the championships last year that lasted until the final round of the 2021 campaing, in Abu Dhabi at the Yas Marina circuit. However, Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekies admitted that despite the Mercedes and Red Bull having to focus on their 2021 cars given the close fight until the end, he did not expect it to have a big impact on the rival team’s cars for this year.
“I’m sure they had to develop this year. However, they are in both cases incredible organisations, and it’s enough to look at the results to see it. Therefore, I would not underestimate for one second their capability to produce a great 2022 car. Yes, they had to spend more on 2021, but if you look at the results they have produced in the last 10 years, one and the other, you will need to be very naive to think that it’s going to be easy to close the gap. Because ultimately, you still have to close the gap. Even us, we look at the 2022 car numbers compared to where we are, and if compared to where we are is X number of tenths slower to these guys, then we need to get that gap plus the gap to them. So I would not be too worried for them.” – Laurent Mekies explained, as reported by Motorsport.
Scuderia Ferrari has high hopes for the new season with a car that will feature “a lot of innovation”, including a power unit which is “significantly different” to the one used through 2021. The Maranello team has not challenged for a championship since Sebastian Vettel in 2017 and 2018, while its title drought dates back to 2008, when it last won the constructors’ crown.
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