After 8 years of dominance by Mercedes and Hamilton, we have massive massive rule changes for this year which could drastically change the pecking order. Originally, there was going to be a complete overhaul of the sport in 2021 in order to make it more affordable and cars able to race closer together however, COVID screwed it up. Whilst the cost cap was still retained for 2021, the new technical changes will come into effect this year.
The major changes area return to ground effect cars for the 1st time since 1982, in addition to a ban on the extravagent suspension, bargeboards and cutout floors from 2017-2020. Also F1 will finally be switching to 18 inch rims (up from their 13 inch rims) and a completely new compound of tyre after Pirelli was forced to use the 2019 tyres for 3 years in a row due to negative feedback about the original 2020 tyres...and COVID. more parts will be standardised and in an effort to even the playing field, the aerodynamic handicap system introduced in 2021 will be more severe in 2022, with each team gaining 5% extra time to design their car the lower they finished in the 2021 championship. This means mercedes will only be allowed 28 hours a week to design their car and the last placed team will be allowed 46 hours a week to design their car,