Which Formula One Driver is the Most Promising for 2022?
Which Formula One Driver is the Most Promising for 2022?
Haas Alfa Romeo Williams: The Ideal Candidate for 2022
Depends on what sort of team you are. For most of the potential champion teams over the next few years, driver lineups are already set. For example, it seems safe to say that Mercedes will stick with Bottas and Hamilton for another 1 or 2 years with George Russel replacing whichever of the 2 leaves first. It's a similar situation for Red Bull, with Yuki Tsunoda, and Ferrari, with Mick Schumacher. However, for the midfield teams of Haas, Alfa Romeo, Williams, or even McLaren, there's one driver who would instantly capture the attention of team bosses - Daniil Kvyat.
By 2022, Kvyat will be 28, in his prime and with more extensive F1 experience than most drivers who can be obtained for a mere 2 million a year. Furthermore, having now been dumped by Red Bull three times, despite arguably never deserving it, Kvyat should be convinced to finally leave the Red Bull group.
Perhaps it's time to reconsider why Kvyat isn't the ideal option. He beat Alex Albon while at Toro Rosso, ran Pierre Gasly very close at Alpha Tauri, and beat Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull, a feat often overlooked. Kvyat has years of experience and a proven track record of delivering solid performance under pressure. Even more, his racecraft has greatly improved, and he no longer gets called the "torpedo."
For a midfield team in need of a solid and reliable points-scorer, Daniil Kvyat is an excellent choice for 2022.
The Rising Star: George Russell
Several drivers could be considered, but let's focus on George Russell and Charles Leclerc, two young talents set to make significant impacts in the future.
George Russell has climbed rapidly in my estimation, and here's why:
First, he won F2 against the likes of Lando Norris, Latifi, Nielsen, and Ticktum, and Alex Albon, with many of them securing seats in higher echelons. Lando ended up at McLaren, Alex at Toro Rosso, and then Red Bull as a reserve driver, while George had to build a platform and plead with Frank and Claire for a drive with a car that the best driver on the team would get 19th place. Mercedes probably included free engines as part of the loan. Yet, George didn't whine; he beat his teammates solidly, qualifying well in Williams, and showed unwavering consistency.
When Hamilton contracted COVID, George was the Mercedes chosen driver, and his contract holders. He didn't come out yelling but said he'd be happy within 0.2 seconds of Bottas, and his expectations were solid. He qualified within 0.2 seconds and, despite a pit error, would have won if not for that mistake. While frustrated, he kept his composure and returned to Williams for another season near the back of the grid. George's performance in the Williams was a nice bargaining chip for Mercedes in the Hamilton contract talks.
Back at Mercedes, George is humble, cool-headed, good with the media, and wicked fast. With Mercedes, he will likely be the hottest property in the 2021 silly season, making waves for the 2022 season!
Ferrari Academy: A Golden Age of Young Talent
Ferrari has a long history of developing young talent, and Charles Leclerc is one of the shining stars. However, there have been some misses in recent years, like Jules Bianchi. Recently, Mick Schumacher won the F2 series, but whether he was chosen for merit or as a placeholder is up for debate. Callum Schwartzman and others are still developing, with family support keeping them in F2 for now, including Latifi, Stroll, and Mazepin. With names like Fittipaldi and Alesi in the mix, they seem too young for a call-up, but it's too early to rule them out.
In conclusion, while there are several promising drivers for 2022, the names standing out are Daniil Kvyat, George Russell, and Charles Leclerc. Which of these drivers will be the next breakout star? Stay tuned for the 2022 season!