Medland eager after 2021 title fight: 'I want a third contender there'

F1 journalist Chris Medland has, like every year, made a wish list for the 2022 F1 season. The list shows well what we lacked in 2021 and on the other hand shows what we want more of in the next season.

Race control and FIA need to do better

Medland writes in his column on Racer.com what he hopes to see and not see this F1 season. A major wish of the Briton is a better and clearer performance of the race control. There were too many controversial moments on the track in 2022. According to Medland, this was by no means always the fault of two or more drivers. "I would actually like more of that between teams and drivers because we would have winners and losers. But if it's a competitor against regulator? Rather less of that."

On the contrary, in 2021 the controversy often came from the corner of the Michael Masi and his stewards. A good example is the race of Saudi Arabia. The best example is the last race and title decider, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The race management there acted remarkably, insinuates Medland. The journalist hopes that the FIA will come up with a clear explanation and reconstruction of the last phase of that race. Masi does not need to be fired by Medland, but an explanation is necessary.

Mercedes vs. Red Bull Racing vs. ...

A highlight of 2021 was the rivalry between Mercedes and Red Bull Racing, according to Medland. He hopes for more of that in 2022, focusing particularly on the battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. "[They] deserve a winning car, but they deserve the chance to race against each other even more; not having one see the other drive away every weekend."

The journalist has become eager and wants to see at least a third contender added to that in addition to the continuation of the rivalry between Verstappen and Hamilton. The Briton's big wish is for a team to have it in them to join the top in 2022. "It would be a good start to this era. There are so many good talents at different teams. Wouldn't it be great to see Ferrari and McLaren fighting for podiums again?"

Medland's list

The rest of Medland's wish list concerns more trivial matters. For example, the Brit wants a stronger Haas F1 team. The straggler is too far behind to give Mick Schumacher a chance to show what he can do. Medland also hopes that the Miami GP will be a resounding success, that there will be less overlap between Formula 1 and IndyCar and that no GPs will have to be cancelled due to corona.