Formula 1: 3 bold predictions for the 2022 season
By Ian Higgins
Formula 1 prediction #1: Mick Schumacher scores first podium
Starting with something that will inevitably wet the eyes of anyone in attendance, Mick Schumacher could be on for his first Formula 1 podium in the 2022 season.
Following a rookie campaign of dominating teammate Nikita Mazepin, Schumacher performed admirably by the end of the season in an undeveloped VF-21 battling alongside the likes of Nicholas Latifi in a Mercedes-powered Williams.
Having allotted all resources to 2022 regulations before the 2021 season got underway, Haas are seeking a return to relevance in the midfield with an even more strengthened partnership with Ferrari. By opening a new facility in Maranello and adopting personnel lost from the Scuderia due to the cost cap, Haas are continuing their development pattern of implementing as many elements as possible “off-the-shelf” from the team in red.
With the right car underneath him, Schumacher can go toe-to-toe with the best on the grid. As seen in Hungary, a heavily damaged Verstappen found himself on only marginally better pace than the Haas. This gave the young German a chance to flaunt the talent we know exists but had been unable to witness, using Verstappen’s own tactic of closing the door on corner exit against him in both turns one and two before losing out in the run to turn three.
With confidence going wheel-to-wheel against backmarkers and leaders alike, Schumacher will at some point in the 23-race calendar have the opportunity to capitalize on inevitable chaos and place the first piece of hardware in the Haas trophy case.