The 2022 Formula 1 season will represent a sort of year zero for the entire world of the sport. The new technical regulation, the almost totally different single-seater and the introduction of a new type of tires will represent “the greatest revolution since 1982”, according to what has been stated by the brilliant Red Bull car designer Adrian Newey. There are those who believe that, however, even by changing the design of the cars, the two teams that are competing for the 2021 championship will start as favorites: Mercedes and Red Bull. All the teams, however, especially from the center of the group upwards, have been circled in red next season. For everyone, in fact, the opportunity is to become better than the others right from the starting blocks and try to open a winning cycle.
A term, that of the ‘cycle’, brought up several times in recent months by Scuderia Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto. In Maranello, more than at any other team, 2022 represents a target par excellence. Ferrari has not won a drivers’ title since 2007, manufacturers since 2008 and it hasn’t at least reached the final race fighting for the championship since 2012. There were signs of the past glory in the 2017-2018 two-year period, but in both cases in the end Hamilton and Mercedes eventually won against the Italian side. For the most successful team in Formula 1 history, this abstinence is too long a punishment to endure. Mattia Binotto himself is aware of this, and has decided to permanently raise the bar of expectations.
“It is not a mystery, our goal is to win the World title as soon as possible, we are aiming strongly for 2022, as a result of the new aerodynamic regulations. Fighting for the title next year is a must. We are working hard for this: failing to do so would mean having done everything wrong. A failure”. Clear and precise words from the Ferrari boss. Not interpretable. What many fans have been waiting for some time now, after several seasons in which Ferrari has obviously found itself playing a secondary role. The duo of drivers are there and are – in the words of the team principal – “the best in Formula 1”. Now it will be necessary to have a car strong enough for their abilities, so as not to let these words remain just good intentions.
