Formula 1: Way-too-early 2022 driver power rankings

#10 – Sergio Perez, Red Bull

Falling into their laps after a generally distasteful decision by Aston Martin management following his victory in the Sakhir Grand Prix, Sergio “Checo” Perez has fulfilled the role that Red Bull had been seeking for years alongside Max Verstappen.

Serving as a championship wingman, the Mexican’s incomprehensible ability to manage the Pirelli tires made him indispensable in complicating Mercedes’ strategy for their lead driver. Where Checo did come up short though was his raw open-air pace and inability to keep up with the front two for much longer than a handful of laps.

Dr. Helmut Marko has made comments about his concerns for Checo entering the 2022 season with the new regulations, stating how he believes that Verstappen will have an easier transition than his counterpart. Reaching back to his experience from 2011, however, Checo will hopefully be able to look back on an era of downforce-baren cars and translate as much as he can to the driving style needed under the new regulations.

#9 – George Russell, Mercedes

Finally, the last member of the young crop of rising stars has been promoted to a competitive manufacturer after suffering through the lowest of lows within Williams and being the catalyst to any highlights over the past handful of seasons.

Toto Wolff has liquidated Lewis Hamilton’s cemented role as number one driver in favor of an uber-talented driver lineup with all of the ingredients for internal conflict on-track.

Transitioning not only into brand new 2022 regulations, Russell will also have to acclimate to the Mercedes team environment complementing a living legend, as well as increased media pressure. One of the most impactful changes for Russell though will be the feistiness of the competition, fighting for top five and podium finishes rather than the fringes of point-scoring territory.

Russell has proven time and time again that his one-lap pace could be the best on the grid (specifically after a second place finish in Spa stemmed from his magnificent wet-weather qualifying effort), but it is still yet to be proven whether he will be able to go wheel-to-wheel with savvy veterans such as Fernando Alonso and young firecrackers such as Lando Norris.