Beyond The Score

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With a new era of machinery mixed with a dose of debutant tracks and a handful of driver moves, 2022 had big expectations on the wall. Typically, when a regulation change commences there is excitement that a shuffle-up could change as all teams go into the season blind. This year it was committed to bolstering racing quality by reducing the nuisance of dirty air. Mercedes were incredibly dominant, picking up all eight constructors championship in the hybrid era. Come March those outwith the silver arrows, hoped there would be a shift of power. 

Although, we look at the teams who haven’t hit the ground running and have struggled to hit high heights in this new era and their pre Summer season performance. 

10) Williams (Image : Learn more)

There was a change of expectation at Williams in 2022 as they had genuine optimism coming into a new season. They had transitioned from an industrious family business to an astute private franchise. Dorlition took over and ties with Mercedes were strengthened (effectively becoming an unofficial B-team). In 2020 the nine-time world champions decided that the main focus should lie in 2022. After all, with the changes being pushed a year back, why not take advantage and look into the future? 

Jost Capito former director of Motorsport became Ceo and a new look to the team was accomplished. The head-scratching idea though was to miss 18-inch tyre testing at the end of 2021. This meant that coming into the new season, catch-up was already being played. In Bahrain, they were comfortably the slowest on the field. Another lackluster season was beckoning at the bottom. Come to Silverstone, a radical car change. The side pods became more conventional, the Mercedes-style design a thing of the past as they excepted that the low-running approach wasn’t reaping the rewards. The advantages were clear in airflow to the rear of the car. The paradox was however that Nicholas Latifi in the old-spec undeveloped car managed his first Q3 appearance in a stunning qualifying session before slightly falling away on Sunday. Despite Albon being the only driver to score points for the team, the Canadian has been improving. Sure, topping practice three in Hungary was conditions-orientated, but a purple sector in qualifying one wasn’t. Despite the fact he bottled it at sector three you can tell he’s doing everything possible to retain that seat and you can only wish him luck.

9) Aston Martin (Image Credit: Licence details)

It almost feels as though it is a different world we lived in than the one where Aston Martin was tipped to be title challengers coming into 2022. To be fair, it is understandable. The resources and money behind that team are humungous, the racing brain though is lacking at times. When Otmar Szafnauer jumped ship to Alpine the alarm bells should have been ringing that something wasn’t right. The reality is that this is a team that has been fighting at the bottom of the field and easily has the second worst car. In Spain, they caused controversy by coming out with a side pod design that seemed to transform the former pink Mercedes to become a green bull machine. That change has meant that times have been more competitive recently, as race pace has allowed them to fight for the last available point slot although the stats don’t lie. Out of the thirteen races and twenty-six qualifying results, only 8 haven’t ended in Q1 elimination, while just four have been Q3 quality. From Spain to Baku they seemed to have turned a corner for a brief spell, although it petered off after that. To add to the complications, the amiable Sebastian Vettel has decided to retire at the end of the season, Fernando Alonso grabbing his seat. With Lance Stroll guaranteed a seat for seasons to come, there is little pressure on him to perform. For me though, sentimentality in sports is an archaic practice that prevents teams from reaching their full potential. As long as the Stroll dynamic towers over this garage, Aston Martin is going nowhere and tarnishing its chances of getting to the top. 

8) Alpha Tauri (Image : Licence details)

Pierre Gasly had high stocks coming into 2022 and was knocking at the door of another stint as Red Bull’s second driver, and while the Frenchman topped the opening practice session, that was the apex of his success so far. 

The frustrating reality is that a lot has been outwith his control, as the P6s have faded to a far-fetched dream at times. Japanese teammate Yuki Tsunoda has shown considerable improvement though and has a higher average finish position than his French counterpart to prove. At times he has been rash but in the big picture has driven a more mature season to this date. Alpha Tauri as a car doesn’t seem to be as quick as 2021. A problem they have is they don’t have a stand-out track and seem to be average everywhere. Every so often we see a car with a lack of pace being able to go to Monza or Monaco and have a cracking weekend due to track characteristics. Truth be told, the Red Bull brother team has blended into the background wherever they have gone. 

It’s pretty telling that Hungary just passed the eighth week out of thirteen where they haven’t managed to score a point. So, if they are to get that P5 finish, colossal improvements are necessary come Spa and beyond, although I wouldn’t hold my breath. Aiming to salvage 2022 would be futile. It would be more worthwhile for the focus to be on 2023 however.

7) Haas (Image :  Licence details)

2022 got off to a bizarre start for Haas as World problems meant a Uralkali sponsor termination meanwhile, Nketia Mazepin was told to pack his bags and damaged front wings. As much as Mazepin has dealt his fair share of controversies you have to feel as though this was unjust, as the former Haas driver had no part to play in Russia’s war crimes on Ukraine.

In stepped Kevin Magnussen returning, and you wonder whether the forced move was a blessing in disguise. An opening weekend in Bahrain saw the Danish man collect a P5 and perhaps peak early. However, he has been solid and teammate Mick Schumacher has improved recently as well. A disappointing Monaco and Baku had the German come under pressure. Unsurprisingly, team principal Steiner was hardly championing his efforts. Although he prevailed with back-to-back points finishes in the Uk and Austria settling unrest nicely. At times the American-based team has been rapid (considering only one major upgrade week.) The problem has been putting a full race week together. A quick qualifying is proceeded by poor race pace or vice versa. Polish the edges though then come to Abu Dhabi, a top-half finish can be possible.

6) Alfa Romeo (Image : Licence details)

A surprise package at the start of the season, things have recently tailed off. Zhou and Bottas have both been solid only to fall victim to the Ferrari engine issues. A couple of races in it seemed possible to earn “best of the rest” if they got a grip of reliability. As of late progress has been hampered with four pointless weekends on the bounce. A stark contrast to the opening nine weekends where there were only two that were pointless.

We can thank the Halo that Alfa Romeo remains with two drivers after the horror crash at Silverstone with Zhou flipped vertically and tossed into a stand. (The animosity at the halo’s introduction looks pathetic now.) This is a team that has taken considerable steps forward from last year’s p9 finish and that’s laudable, although my main concern would be that they peaked too early, oh and of course reliability.