Eight drivers have moved, in one way or another, when you take a look at the 2021 and 2022 Formula 1 driver lineups side by side.
Following an offseason of more than three months, the 2022 Formula 1 season is scheduled to get underway in Bahrain this weekend.
A total of 15 of the 20 drivers across nine of the sport’s 10 teams who are set to compete throughout the upcoming 23-race season are set to compete for the same teams this year as they did last year.
But eight other drivers have been affected, in one way or another, by the changes made to the driver lineup from the 2021 season to the 2022 season, including three who have joined the sport, two who have switched teams, and three who are no longer in the sport.
Let’s have a look at each of these eight drivers.
Valtteri Bottas
- Moving to Alfa Romeo after five years at Mercedes; replacing Kimi Raikkonen, being replaced by George Russell
Kimi Raikkonen
- Retiring as Formula 1’s all-time most experienced driver; being replaced by Valtteri Bottas after spending three years at Alfa Romeo
Guanyu Zhou
- Promoted to Formula 1 as a rookie after three years in Formula 2; replacing Antonio Giovinazzi at Alfa Romeo
Antonio Giovinazzi
- Being replaced by Guanyu Zhou after spending three years at Alfa Romeo; has since joined Dragon/Penske Autosport in Formula E
George Russell
- Moving to Mercedes after three years at Williams; replacing Valtteri Bottas, being replaced by Alexander Albon
Alexander Albon
- Returning to Formula 1 after a year away in 2021; replacing George Russell at Williams
Kevin Magnussen
- Also returning to Formula 1 after a year away in 2021; replacing Nikita Mazepin at Haas
Nikita Mazepin
- Dropped by Haas after just one year after Haas cut ties with title sponsor Uralkali over the Russia/Ukraine conflict; being replaced by Kevin Magnussen
ESPN is set to broadcast the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix live from Bahrain International Circuit beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET this Sunday, March 20, so be sure to start your free trial of FuboTV before then!