Column | These teams are set to make the biggest statements in F1 2022

With only a short wait now until winter testing in Bahrain, we take a look at the performances made by two teams in Spain and how it displays their readiness for the 2022 season. With their preparation and their efficient use of time, they are set to make the biggest statements this year.

McLaren

The Woking squad have had a strong start to their 2022 testing. Sitting at third-highest on the lap tally with 365 rounds of the Barcelona circuit, the team now sit on a healthy amount of data to sift through before the preseason test at Bahrain. Setting the marker down on day 1 of testing, Lando Norris was quick to downplay their own performances. While the times were not likely representative of coming performances, it helps display the confidence within the McLaren team. With both drivers feeling the areas of strength and weakness within the car, they will be holding a decent understanding and wanting to push the car a bit harder on the fast Sakhir track.

Ferrari

Ferrari has managed to put on a staggering show at Barcelona. With 439 laps of the Spanish circuit under the belt, the scarlet team will be proud of their reliability. It also shows how they have come on leaps and bounds from their dismal 2020 season, where poor performance and reliability issues caused them to fall to a lacklustre sixth place in the constructor’s standings. With both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc looking confident and able to push the car around the Spanish circuit, the Italian marque now has a good base upon which they can build from. With the vast bank of data they have gathered as well, the team will be working hard on simulation and wind tunnel correlation to try and establish the trends in car performance. Expectation sits highly on them this year, with a brilliant opportunity to focus their resources and push back to the very front of the grid.

Their aims

For the coming testing session in Bahrain, both teams have similar aims. With the Sakhir circuit hosting an entirely different environment and design in comparison to Spain, teams have an opportunity to gather information as to how the car reacts in two completely different circumstances. Bahrain hosts longer straights, has lesser slow-speed corners, has harder braking zones and holds a much hotter ambient temperature. With this information, teams will be able to create and hold, in-depth points of reference, from which they can draw out their expectations and predictions as to how their season may pan out.

Therefore, if Ferrari & McLaren put up similar showings and complete their run plan to the fullest, the two constructors and four drivers will have a strong base with which they can build upon when entering the new era of F1. This stands as one of their greatest chances to make the leap up to the very front of the grid and fight frequently for race wins once more.