Formula One 2022: a team-by-team guide to the cars and drivers

Car W13 Engine Mercedes Principal Toto Wolff Debut France 1954 GPs 249 Titles 8 Last season Champions. Struggled in testing with a car that may prove to be more of a diva than previous models. It suffered from heavy “porpoising” (ie the car heavily jarring up and down on a straight) and a consequent lack of balance, brake-locking and understeer. Believe they can solve the issues and in doing so will have a very quick car but this may be the most trying opening to a campaign they have faced for many years.

Drivers

Lewis Hamilton (GB, age 37) No 44 Debut Australia 2007 Wins 103 Poles 103 Titles 7 Last season 2nd. Strongly motivated by the bitter disappointment of being controversially denied his eighth title in 2021’s season finale, Hamilton is geared up for a fight. He drove as well as he ever has last season and there are no signs he has lost any of his remarkable edge. If Mercedes can deliver the car he will be fearsomely hard to beat.

George Russell (GB, 24) No 63 Debut Australia 2019 Wins 0 Best race finish 2ndPoles 0 Best qualifying 2nd Titles 0 Best season finish 15th Last season 15th. Delivered well at the back of the field for Williams but faces the toughest test of his career at the front of the grid and partnered with Hamilton. Has real pace, confidence and is clearly relishing this challenge. Should he step up to the challenge, how the dynamic within the team and across the garage develops will be fascinating.

Car RB18 Engine Red Bull Principal Christian Horner Debut Australia 2005 GPs 325 Titles 4 Last season 2nd. Looked comfortably to have the best car in testing. Well-balanced, quick and reliable it was crucially less prone to porpoising than almost any other team, strong over the bumps and on long runs.