Formula 1: 3 offseason stories that repeated from last year

Three hot stories from last offseason turned up in almost the exact same fashion between the 2021 and 2022 Formula 1 seasons.

Despite the entire 2021 Formula 1 season having happened between the last two offseasons, three of the headlines that were discussed at length during the offseason between the 2020 and 2021 seasons resurfaced during the offseason between the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

The circumstances surrounding each weren’t necessarily the same, however. But did all of them turn out the same way?

Let’s take a look at all three.

Formula 1 offseason storylines: No. 1 – Lewis Hamilton retiring?

For much of last offseason, there were only 19 drivers confirmed on the grid for the 2021 season, with the one empty seat belonging to Mercedes are the contract of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton expired after the 2020 season.

At one point, Hamilton was technically no longer a member of the Silver Arrows, as his contract had truly run out by the time the calendar turned to 2021, leading to speculation that he could retire and be replaced by George Russell alongside Valtteri Bottas. However, he signed a one-year deal, and Russell stayed at Williams.

This time around, the speculation was based on something different: the outcome of the 2021 world championship battle, specifically the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Team principal Toto Wolff stated that the way things unfolded left Hamilton “disillusioned”, which heated up rumors that he might walk away from the sport, despite having signed a two-year contract extension over the summer. However, once again, he is set to return.