When it became apparent at the start of the 2022 Formula 1 season that Mercedes was in trouble, some observers claimed that it was the first time Lewis Hamilton had been given an uncompetitive car. But those with longer memories recalled 2009, when the McLaren MP4-24 proved to be a total disaster at the start of the year. Hamilton was left struggling in the wake of Brawn and Red Bull in a season that was dominated by the double diffuser.
There are many parallels between the situations in 2009 and 2022, as well as some differences. The common link is that Hamilton never gave up and helped to drive the team on, and in both cases his engineers responded and worked away to improve the car.
Hamilton facing F1 power unit grid penalty after Spa collision
Red Bull: Porsche 2026 F1 deal still not done
FIA: F1 race control changes for 2022 a bandage, not a cure
How CRB decision will decide Piastri’s F1 fate
Ocon says tensions with Gasly are gone amid Alpine F1 links
Wolff questions Piastri’s “this is wrong” F1 tweet
Alpine eyes Gasly as Marko lines-up Herta for AlphaTauri F1 role
The highs and lows of being F1’s latest supersub
How Verstappen won the F1 Belgian GP from 14th on the grid
Max Verstappen scored one of the most dominant victories of his Formula 1 career to date with a fight through the field to win Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix.
10 things we learned from the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix
Formula 1 is never too far away from the headlines, and it returned after its summer holidays with a Spa break. From driver market and team news to another pivotal race in the world championship fight, here’s 10 of the biggest talking points from the Belgian Grand Prix weekend
Hamilton facing F1 power unit grid penalty after Spa collision
The power unit used by Lewis Hamilton in Formula 1’s Belgian Grand Prix has been returned to Mercedes’ powertrains base in Brixworth for inspection following his collision with Fernando Alonso.
2022 F1 Dutch GP – How to watch, session timings and more
The 2022 Formula 1 season rumbles on this weekend with the Dutch Grand Prix on the 2-4 September.
Belgian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
Formula 1 roared back into action after the summer break at the Belgian Grand Prix, where the grid was shaken up by engine penalties which created different opportunities for drivers to shine. While the sole top score can probably be predicted, there were plenty of other high marks at Spa
How Verstappen scored the best win of his F1 career and furthered Leclerc’s downfall
Nothing could deny Max Verstappen’s Spa surge as he charged to a ninth Formula 1 win of the season, while yet more bad luck and questionable calls mired Charles Leclerc. Here’s how the Red Bull driver dominated the Belgian Grand Prix
The traditionalist F1 venue stuck in a philosophical row
With the future of Spa as a grand prix venue in doubt, BEN EDWARDS admits not everyone will be disappointed if it is dropped from the calendar
Which teams adapted best to F1’s new 2022 rules?
As F1 moves into the second half of the 2022 season, PAT SYMONDS analyses which teams have so far performed well under the championship’s new technical regulations
Why Verstappen has the upper hand for Spa’s recovery race
Formula 1 title rivals Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc both face a battle to recover from the rear of the grid after engine penalties. But it appears the championship leader is in the box seat on pace to salvage the most from a potentially tricky Belgian Grand Prix
How Formula 1’s Audi coup has been realised
Formula 1 has pulled off a major coup in encouraging Audi to join the series as an engine manufacturer from the 2026 season. It speaks to the surge in popularity F1 is enjoying, with Porsche set to follow suit. Here’s how F1 snared the four rings, and what comes next for the famous German marque as it sets about tackling its new challenge
How “more balanced” Ricciardo has learned to manage his F1 travails
A year ago Daniel Ricciardo was under fire at McLaren, but turned his season around with a spectacular win at Monza. Now, as OLEG KARPOV explains, he’s got to do it all over again just to preserve his place in Formula 1 after the shock news of his departure from McLaren…
Why Spa can reveal the most about Mercedes’ powers of resurrection
After a difficult start to Formula 1’s ground effect-era, Mercedes has shown signs of recovery in recent races by regularly finishing on the podium and even taking pole last time out in Hungary. With more time to understand its W13 car and its improvement in recent races, plus a new technical directive coming into force for Spa, the Belgian GP could be a crucial barometer of its progress
Bottas: 2022 probably my most enjoyable F1 season so far
Red Bull’s latest Mercedes F1 recruits a “statement of intent”
