The creation of technical regulations for Formula 1 single-seaters in the 2022 season has caused a change in the hierarchical order of the grid, something that was clearly seen from the start of the season in Bahrain.
In the opening round, Red Bull and Ferrari were placed as the only candidates to fight for the title, while the absolute dominators in all campaigns since the introduction of hybrid engines, Mercedes, were stuck in the middle zone.
Over the course of the races, the Silver Arrows managed to make up some ground on the leaders, proof of which is George Russell’s pole position in qualifying in Hungary and Lewis Hamilton’s five consecutive podium finishes up to the Belgian Grand Prix. .
Precisely in Spa-Francorchamps is where the FIA introduced the new AOM measurement that tried to reduce the excessive porpoising that the teams suffered with the return of ground effect, especially the Germans, who insisted a lot on changing the rules out of concern for the health of the pilots.
Inside the paddock there was speculation of pressure from the head of Mercedes, Toto Wolff , on the members of the international federation to undertake a modification of the regulations in the middle of the season, as it ended up happening. However, the Austrian director defended that the variation would benefit Red Bull and Ferrari.
That’s what seems to have happened, as Max Verstappen scored an incredible win coming back from 14th starting position after a penalty for fitting new components to his power unit, while Brackley’s have suffered badly.
In the classification they stayed two seconds behind the Dutchman’s time, which showed the great difference with respect to the best, so the change in the rules has not turned out as expected by the Germans.
“I think I have to thank Toto [Wolff] for supporting the rule change,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said after winning at Spa-Francorchamps. “Seriously, I think this track played to the strengths of our design, and that’s why we got the double.”
“We prepared a lot and had high expectations with the rule changes, so maybe it hurt others more than us,” the Briton continued. “Actually, we haven’t changed the way the car drives.”
Horner assured that the RB18 and, above all, Verstappen, were the keys in what was the event with the greatest dominance for those in energy drinks since 2013: “We have a very efficient car, we have found some very good settings, and Max [ Verstappen] has been phenomenal from the get-go.”
“We made a strategic decision to take a penalty at Spa, and Max had to come from behind very effectively, so he got to the front much sooner than we expected,” said the Red Bull boss.
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