Can Red Bull and Mercedes Stay On Top In 2022 And Beyond

With the new power unit and body design, the question becomes can anybody overtake the current and former world champions either in driver’s or constructor’s standings? If history has proven anything in the last 20 years is that almost every time a power unit is introduced a new contender emerges to take the championship. So now, it’s a new year, a new era, and new competition.

This could be a year that a new team, like Ferrari or even McLaren, who are both spending their tokens on this year’s car, to move up and compete with the two front runners. Not to mention that Ferrari’s unbelievable use of their new sidepods and just an overall use of their engineering marvel makes the mind wonder if they would be even more competitive this season.

The FIA and, their owners, Liberty Media wants all teams to be competitive moving forward. Not only a new power unit, but throw in the fact that with spending and, soon to be, salary cap come into play. All trying to make it as much as a level playing field as possible. So, the question arises, can Mercedes and Red Bull be as competitive as years past. As just pointed out, if history has anything to say, the quick answer is no. Look at Ferrari in the early 2000’s, Red Bull in 2010, and, of course, Mercedes starting in 2014. New years with new power units, and new constructor champions.

Everything is currently there for both Red Bull and Mercedes to drive towards the championship. Mercedes, as of right now, is keeping Lewis Hamilton and adding an exceptional talent in George Russell. Even though they lost a few key personnel, they have shown to be resilient, especially when they are fighting from behind, even though is rare.

However, this is not an ordinary year. Normally, a new power unit means new personnel, but RB and Mercedes are keeping the majority of the staff and engineers, and, minus one person, are keeping all their drivers. Also, after giving us one of the best years of racing last season, their competitiveness will be at an all-time high.

Testing in Barcelona, Lewis Hamilton was the fastest overall. However, Ferrari did excite. While Red Bull didn’t have an impressive showing. As of right now in Bahrain, Pierre Gasly had a very notable first day with his AlphaTauri, once again, Ferrari finds themselves towards the top of the field, and Max Verstappen is killing it on the track, just like last year. Testing is testing though. It’s a mixed bag of timing and teams across the board. The majority of teams save their true power for the first race in the season, especially Mercedes.

Looking from the outside in, it’s not impossible for either Mercedes or Red Bull to retain their titles, but this might be the hardest year for them to do so. Excitement is in the air for a new year and a new era of a redesign Formula 1 car. As F1 fans, we are in for a remarkable season.