Don Robbie

What can F1 fans expect in 2022? By Felix Holland At the end of the longest season in F1 history, drivers and teams deserve a well-earned break over the festive period - but they won’t be able to relax for long.  The 2022 campaign starts on March 20 in Bahrain and pre-season testing begins a month before, so teams need to get their skates on if they’re to be ready.  Add in a whole new batch of technical regulations – the biggest rule changes since 2014 – and it’s certainly not going to be a quiet winter.  Everyone might want to see another Mercedes v Red Bull showdown, especially after what happened in Abu Dhabi, but is that going to happen?  Here’s what we can expect in 2022…  A MIXED GRID  With such significant rule changes, F1 is going to look totally different next season.  After eight years of slight evolution, it's back to the drawing board in 2022. All 10 teams are starting from scratch and that will lead to some unpredictable results up and dow...

 Seat changes - a round-up of all the driver changes across the F1 landscape, with just one driver yet to be confirmed By Oli Dickson Jefford Another year, another F1 driver merry-go-round. Every season brings intrigue about which drivers may leave the sport, who may or may not keep their place at the team, and who will move elsewhere. While seven teams have decided to retain their 2021 driver line-up, three teams have made changes... The Finnish line: Bottas replaces retiring Raikkonen at Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo were likely to change at least one driver, and they were the first team to confirm a new  face  with Valtteri Bottas joining the team. Bottas is replacing fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen, who confirmed he is calling time on his F1 career following months of rumours. A ten-time Grand Prix winner, 32-year-old Bottas brings an experience to Alfa Romeo that will be crucial as the team look to build a more competitive car. His move left a gap at Mercedes, and many people’s d...

George Russell to Mercedes: What to expect? By Oli Dickson Jefford After months of speculation, last week it finally became official: George Russell will drive for Mercedes next season. Russell, who turns 24 shortly before   the next campaign, is a leading driver of his generation and has excelled despite driving in a far-from-perfect Williams. As the former F2 and F3 champion heads to a new car next year, what can we expect from him at the team that has dominated over the past decade?  Early nerves Despite driving in a car far from   Championship contention, Russell has a high profile in the UK and abroad thanks to several stellar performances. There was huge clamour from all areas for the move to Mercedes to go ahead, and now all eyes will be on how he fares. Based on what we’ve seen in recent seasons with drivers stepping up to better teams, it could be tough. Red Bull have seen Daniil Kvyat, Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon struggle after being brought in, with the experie...