Formula 1 2022 Preview
This weekend the 2022 Formula One World Championship kicks off with the first Grand Prix of the season taking place in Bahrain on Sunday. With the recent release of the fourth season of Netflix’s Drive to Survive and the unparalleled conclusion to last year’s championship, the next instalment of F1 is being anticipated like never before.
A mere three months ago the world was glued to the action in Abu Dhabi as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen entered the final race of the season on level points, the first time that’s happened in over 40 years. Famous faces belonging to the likes of Usain Bolt, Chris Gayle and Stormzy could be seen roaming and mingling around trackside pre-race, as the chat was dominated by talk of which of the two drivers would secure victory and come out on top after one of the most thrilling and controversial seasons in recent history.
The drama that unfolded did not disappoint. Despite Red Bull’s Verstappen starting in pole position, Hamilton led for the duration of the race and it looked for the most part that the Mercedes driver was going to be successful in claiming a record eighth World Championship, overtaking F1 legend Michael Schumacher in the process.
However, the race was turned on its head with five laps to go, as a crash on the track saw the introduction of the safety car. Verstappen, who was in second place at the time, used this opportunity to change his tyres and then an unprecedented decision from race director Michael Masi allowed Verstappen to catch up with Hamilton during the safety car period, leading to a final lap showdown between the two that ended in victory for the Dutchman.
The race is captured on the last episode of the aforementioned Drive to Survive series, so viewers can relive one of the most dramatic championship endings in the history of the sport.
The world of motor racing will tune in again this weekend to see how the beginning of the next chapter unfolds. This time around, the season will end earlier than usual to avoid any overlap with the football World Cup and it’s for this reason that the Qatar Grand Prix is taking a year out, following its debut on the circuit last season.
However, there are notable returns for the Australian, Canadian, Japanese and Singapore GPs after a two-year absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Miami is set to make its debut on the circuit in May. You can read our Insight piece on Miami’s inclusion on the circuit and how you could experience the event here.
If you’d like to experience the excitement and glamour of a Grand Prix in Miami, Barcelona, Monaco, Sao Paulo or any of the other host cities, please get in touch with us here. We’d love the chance to put together a bespoke and luxury package for you, including world-class hospitality at the race and any travel requirements you have.
Formula 1 Race Calendar 2022
Bahrain Grand Prix – March 18-20 Bahrain International Circuit Sakhir
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – March 25-27 Jeddah Corniche Circuit Jeddah
Australian Grand Prix – April 8-10 Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit
Gran Premio dell’Emilia Romagna – April 22-24 Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari Bologna
Miami Grand Prix – May 6-8 Miami International Autodrome
Gran Premio de España – May 20-22 Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Monaco Grand Prix – May 27-29 Circuit de Monaco Monte Carlo
Azerbaijan Grand Prix – June 10-12 Baku City Circuit Baku
Canadian Grand Prix – June 17-19 Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
British Grand Prix – July 1-3 Silverstone Circuit
Austrian Grand Prix – July 8-10 Red Bull Ring Spielberg
Grand Prix de France – July 22-24 Circuit Paul Ricard Le Castellet
Hungarian Grand Prix – July 29-31 Hungaroring Mogyoród
Belgian Grand Prix – August 26-28 Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Dutch Grand Prix – September 2-4 Circuit Zandvoort
Gran Premio d’Italia – September 9-11 Autodromo Nazionale di Monza
Singapore Grand Prix – Sep 30-Oct 2 Marina Bay Street Circuit Marina Bay
Japanese Grand Prix – October 7-9 Suzuka International Racing Course
United States Grand Prix – October 21-23 Circuit of the Americas Austin
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de México – Oct 28-30 Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez Mexico City
Grande Prêmio de São Paulo – November 11-13 Autódromo José Carlos Pace São Paulo
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – November 18-20 Yas Marina Circuit Yas Island