F1 2022 Teams: Everything You Need to Know

We're just days away from the 2022 Formula 1 season, and with new technical regulations, we might be in for one of the most unpredictable seasons yet. Each year teams must decide their driver lineup for the coming season, and while 2022 saw fewer driver changes than in recent years, there are certainly changes to catch up on. Don't worry if you feel lost. Let's keep you up to date by going through the F1 2022 teams in the order that they finished the Constructors Championship in 2021.

Mercedes

The Silver Arrows are still the team to beat running into 2022. Paired with 7-time champion Lewis Hamilton is George Russell, who has been promoted up by Williams. His performance standing in for Covid-stricken Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain was enough to make the decision to move him up the grid very easy. Will George take it to Lewis straight away? 

Red Bull

2021 runners up Red Bull will continue with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez in 2022. The team is clearly built around Verstappen; however, Perez has proven himself to be the wingman needed to take the fight to the Mercs. Red Bull were runners-up by only 28 points in 2021. With the regulation changes for this year, perhaps they can stand on top among all F1 2022 teams. 

Ferrari

Ferrari also sees no changes in their F1 lineup 2022 and will continue with Charles LeClerc and Carlos Sainz. Surprising for me was just how well Sainz did in the Ferrari, given that it was his first year with the Scuderia. So well, he out-scored LeClerc, who, as we know, is in a very long contract with Ferrari. Given that Ferrari typically runs with very clear #1 and #2 drivers, Sainz has shaken that up. Will there be sparks, or will the team figure out how to run with two strong drivers? Personally, I think this is the team battle to watch for among F1 2022 teams.

McLaren

I was disappointed to see McLaren falter against Ferrari this season in the Constructor's battle. However, they were the only team to score a 1-2 finish in 2021, and since that was in Ferrari's home territory at Monza, it's a bit of a consolation prize. McLaren also won't touch their lineup and continue with Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo going into their F1 lineup 2022. 

Alpine

Alpine was the surprise 2021 team for me. It looked certain that on the back of Pierre Gasly's performance, they would come behind AlphaTauri however, the late-season performance by both Alonso and Ocon meant securing 5th ahead of the Red Bull "B" team. Both Alonso and Ocon will continue for the French outfit and be more competitive against other F1 2022 teams. 

AlphaTauri

Some bad breaks for Pierre Gasly and early season rookie mistakes from Yuki Tsunoda combined with Alpine's late-season push meant 6th place for AlphaTauri in 2021. I think they should have finished higher, but se la vie. AlphaTauri will continue with both Gasly and Tsunoda for their F1 lineup 2022, so look for a rematch with Alpine.

Aston Martin

Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll will return for 2022 at Aston Martin. 2021 was certainly disappointing for the team due to regulation tweaks by the FIA that drastically hampered the performance of the car. But with the 4-time champion Vettel now settled into the team and new regulations upon us for this year, Aston will be eager to move up the ranks and rise above the other F1 2022 teams. 

Williams

I am unabashedly a Williams fan, and their P8 for the 2021 championship secures them an extra bucket load of cash that will assist with their 2022 efforts. However, as mentioned before, George Russell will not be with the team for their F1 lineup 2022 as he's been promoted to the big show up at Mercedes. Stepping in alongside Nicholas Latifi will be former Red Bull driver Alex Albon. It's possible the attitude of cutting drivers loose who don't make the grade at Red Bull may be turning. Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner said many times they liked Albon a lot and wanted to see him back in F1. They made good on their word, and for 2021, he coached rookie Yuki Tsunoda at AlphaTauri. It'll be good to see him back on the grid competing with other formidable F1 2022 teams. 

Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo is the only squad among the F1 2022 teams making a double driver change. With Kimi Räikkönen retiring and the team deciding against re-signing Antonio Giovinazzi (who is headed to Formula E), we will see Valtteri Bottas paired with rookie Guanyu Zhou. Guanyu will be the first-ever Chinese driver on the Formula 1 grid, a clear indication of motorsport's rising popularity in the PRC. (It doesn't hurt that he brings a shed load of cash to help the ailing outfit.) I'm very interested to see the kind of leadership role that Bottas will take on now that he is out from the shadow of Lewis Hamilton. 

Haas

Zero points in 2021 and a driver (Mazepin) who placed 21st in a competition of 20 drivers isn't really a great way to complete 2021. Team Principal Gunter Steiner has said 2022 is the "make or break" year for Haas. The team did not develop the 2021 car at all. It's hard to imagine that the squad can remain among the stacked F1 2022 teams and drivers. 

With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Haas’ relationship with primary team sponsor Uralkali has become untenable. Both Nikita Mazepin and his father Dimitri were placed on international sanctions lists due to their relationship with Vladimir Putin. As a result, Haas severed their relationship with the Mazepins. 

Replacing Nikita Mazepin in the F1 lineup for 2022 is veteran F1 driver (and no stranger to the Haas F1 team) Kevin Magnussen. The deal to bring KMAG back to F1 unfolded quite rapidly and the Dane is very happy to be back into Formula 1. Paired with him is the returning Mick Schumacher.

So that's the roundup for F1 2022 teams and drivers. Now you're caught up on the main storylines and ready to enjoy the action. Who are you backing? Grab your favorite team and driver gear here at CMC Motorsports! Feel free to contact us anytime if you have questions about our gear or events. Show your favorite team or driver some love with the ultimate motorsports gear.