These drivers have something to think about heading into the GP in Australia

Only two races have been completed in 2022, yet there are already a number of drivers under considerable pressure. Ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, these drivers have two weeks to recharge themselves to perform better in the next series of Grands Prix.

Nicholas Latifi

The man with the most pressure on his shoulders after the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia is Nicholas Latifi. He was better than people thought, or so Williams said prior to the season. The Canadian had been driven around the ears by George Russell for two years, but that was the man who was brought in by Mercedes.

It was therefore said from the team that Latifi was capable of taking Williams by the hand and he got a competitive teammate in Alexander Albon. The Thai had played an important role as Red Bull Racing's reserve driver in 2021, but had thus effectively been sidelined for a year. So a great opportunity for Latifi to prove himself to the team.

In that respect, Latifi did himself no favors, as in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Albon was much faster in qualifying and the race. Then Latifi only made things worse by finishing in the wall in Jeddah in both qualifying and the race. Afterwards he was critical of himself in front of the camera, but the question is whether he can turn this momentum around? With the arrival of Dorilton Capital, Latifi's money is less important to Williams, and he will also simply have to perform to keep his seat.

Mick Schumacher

Mick Schumacher had Nikita Mazepin in his pocket in 2021, but many knew that year that this duel was not interesting for Schumacher either. Kevin Magnussen is a much better benchmark for Schumacher and the 2022 start is also interesting in that respect. For Schumacher, the arrival of the Dane could mean good news, but also very bad news.

Magnussen is an experienced F1 driver, but not a huge star. He was written off by McLaren and Renault, but drove some good seasons for Haas. So for the German, Magnussen is a good frame of reference and if he manages to beat Magnussen it will look better on his CV than winning over Mazepin.

The problem, however, is that Schumacher has been beaten around the ears by Magnussen in the first two qualifying sessions, even though the Dane has barely had any preparation. The man with one podium behind his name in F1 has barely been able to train and struggles to complete a full race, but under those circumstances manages to qualify and finish ahead of Mick in the race.

The arrival of Magnussen therefore has a downside for Schumacher. If he wins then that's good news and he might be able to apply to a better team, but if you lose to Magnussen, who was already written off by several teams, how do you want to fulfill the promise of one day becoming a Ferrari driver? The German will therefore have to find his rhythm quickly and at least be closer to his teammate.

Daniel Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo had a lot of problems in his switch to McLaren in 2021. The victory in Monza could not disguise the fact that the Australian was run over by Lando Norris and that while Ricciardo as a multiple race winner was brought to McLaren as the big man. That big man within McLaren is now Norris, however, especially with the signing of his new contract.

So for the Australian, 2022 is a year where he has to show it, but Daniel has not started the season well. Again, Norris was twice faster in qualifying and in Saudi Arabia also in the race (before Ricciardo's retirement). Ricciardo now returns with a race at home and will be only too happy to show more of himself.

Carlos Sainz

Carlos Sainz does not have to fear for his seat after the first two races in 2022, but he does have to fear for his role within the team of Ferrari. The Spaniard himself has the ambition to become world champion and came to the Italian team with those words. In 2021, he lived up to those words by beating the talented Charles Leclerc in points over a full year.

However, the first races of 2022 have not gone well for Sainz. He clearly has to acknowledge his superiority to his teammate and admits himself that he has yet to become one with the F1-75. The question is how long he has to join the fray up front, because if Leclerc and Max Verstappen grab more points, Sainz may soon have to settle for a role as second driver.

For Ferrari, this would be a position of luxury, as Sainz is very fast and very consistent and that is what you want from a second driver. Therefore, as mentioned, the Ferrari driver does not have to worry about his expiring contract, but he does have to worry about the 2022 F1 season. Ferrari now has a car to compete for the world title. You never know how often you'll get that opportunity in F1, so Sainz will have to improve quickly if he wants to cash in on it.