Formula One 2022

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This is the year of the change to regulations and a new look for F1 cars. According to the FIA, 'it's to level the playing field'. I'm not happy with that, it's killing innovation and turning an elite sport into F2.

I may be wrong but that needs to be proved.

Anyway the 'confirmed' calendar is here.

In other news, various sports articles are showing concern that Lewis Hamilton has maintained a social media blackout since the fiasco of Abu Dhabi.

Depending on your point of view, this race was 'nearly' won by Hamilton who was 12 seconds ahead of Verstappen until 5 laps from the end when a crash by Latifi brought out a safety car. The race director who was being harangued by Toto Wolff (Mercedes manager) and Christian Horner (Red Bull manager), made some very controversial decisions in order to 'get one lap of racing'.

The outcome was, Verstappen won the race and his first championship.

Hamilton who was within 5 laps of an historical 8th WDC, behaved with utmost dignity at race end. Congratulated Verstappen and Horner. Was interviewed by Jenson Button and refused to be drawn on any comment regarding the controversy. Stood on the podium and continued to go through the motions of the celebration.

Since then nothing has been heard from him.

According to his brother Nicholas 'Lewis is fine. He's having a break Social Media can be a very toxic place'.

Further rumour is Hamilton was the one who stopped Mercedes from taking this case to the F1 Court of Appeal, which was their intention after their appeal was dismissed by the FIA in Abu Dhabi.

Anyway roll on February when the cars are revealed and March when testing begins.

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Red Bull 'revealed' their car for 2022.

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/red-bull-launches-new-rb18-with-updated-show-car/8023276/ 

Looks like an F2 car to me?

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Aston Martin revealed.

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McLaren revealed last night. (so far, the Aston Martin and McLaren are the only 2 real cars to be revealed.)

McLaren have used their 'Gulf' colours, they used for Monaco last year. Very eye catching. Both drivers, Ricciardo and Norris were at the reveal and seemed excited about the car and their chances for the 22 season.

[Cleoriff]

There will be 3 sprint races next year and more points up for grabs.

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The big news of today is that Michael Masi has lost his job as race director. This is due to the rules he broke at Abu Dhabi in the final race.

He allowed only the lapped cars between the title fighters Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to unlap themselves, setting up a final-lap showdown that the Dutch driver won to clinch his maiden F1 world title.

It appeared to contradict all previous safety care restart procedures, either letting all the lapped cars unlap themselves or none of them, while the race also started before the end of the lap the cars were permitted to pass the leaders as stated in the F1 rulebook.

If that rule had been followed the race would have finished behind the safety car with Hamilton ahead of Verstappen and therefore 2021 F1 world champion.

F1 will have 2 new Race Directors. All info HERE 

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Ferrari released details of their car for 22

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The one I've been waiting for! Mercedes have revealed the W13 for the 2022 season. First thing of note is that they have gone back to their original colour of Silver. Giving them their nickname of Silver Arrows.

All looking pretty damn gorgeous to me, but I am heavily biased. Great to see Lewis at the presentation, fit and ready to take the car on a shakedown run at Silverstone later on.

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Due to the Russian invasion of the Ukraine, the FIA have cancelled the Russian F1 weekend in Sochi. Even though it's not until September and hopefully the trouble will be over, at least 5 drivers have said they will boycott the event.

It's causing problems for the only Russian driver on the grid (Nikita Mazapin) whose father has given millions to Haas, the team he drives for. As his money will now be frozen, no-one is sure how long Haas will be able to continue.

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Further to that, Haas have terminated Mazepin's contract. A few countries, (including GB) which hold F1 races have said they won't allow Russian drivers into the country.

Mazepin made a response.