Five drivers who can make an impact at Albert Park
Wednesday, 6 April 2022
These five drivers have great potential to set up their 2022 campaigns well with a strong result in Melbourne.
One of the most fiercely contested grids are set to do battle in Albert Park on Formula 1®’s long-awaited return to Melbourne. Every driver up and down the pit lane will be looking to make a strong impression in the early stages of the 2022 season.
Four drivers have taken victory at Albert Park before while just Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton are the only two current drivers to have claimed at a pole position, the latter taking a record eight.
#16 Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
The 24-year-old Ferrari driver arrives in Melbourne as the championship leader. The Monegasque took a convincing win in the opening race of the 2022 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix beating the likes of reigning world champion Max Verstappen and F1® powerhouse team Mercedes. Now in his fourth season at the Scuderia, Leclerc has become a stalwart of the famous red team and will certainly be one of the favourites at this weekend’s Formula 1® Heineken® Australian Grand Prix 2022.
#33 Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
The reigning world champion will be looking to take back-to-back wins this weekend in Melbourne after triumphing in Saudi Arabia. Despite already notching up 21 victories in his Formula 1® career, the Dutchman has yet to taste success at Albert Park. Verstappen’s best qualifying performance in Melbourne is fourth back in 2018 and 2019. He has only visited the podium once, finishing third in 2019. Verstappen’s biggest fight this weekend will be with the Ferraris and early championship challenger Charles Leclerc.
#77 Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo
Valtteri Bottas has been the star performer so far this season in the Alfa Romeo outfit. The Finn exited Mercedes at the end of 2021 and has since shown his true talent in the opening two rounds of this season. The 32-year-old made great first impressions in Bahrain with a mighty sixth-place finish. He went on to qualify eighth in Saudi Arabia last time out, beating his former teammate Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes. Valtteri will be looking to continue his great form in Melbourne this weekend.
#22 Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team
The Dane made a shock comeback in 2022, returning to Haas F1® Team after being let go from the outfit at the end of 2020. Magnussen has finished inside the points on both occasions so far this season with an incredible fifth place finish at the season opener in Bahrain. He also has a great track record in Melbourne finishing second on his Formula 1® debut at the Albert Park in 2014. Magnussen currently sits eighth in the championship with 12 points and will be looking for a third consecutive points finish this weekend.
#63 George Russell, Mercedes
All eyes are on 24-year-old British sensation George Russell this season who’s made the step up to the reigning constructors’ championship this season. The Briton is regarded as one the future stars of the sport known for his impressive qualifying performances which earned him the name ‘Mr Saturday’. Russell has spent the past three seasons at Williams whilst being a Mercedes Academy Driver and is poised to bring the fight to seven-time world champion and teammate Lewis Hamilton. So far, both drivers sit at one a piece in the teammate race battle. Will George come out on top of his teammate at the chequered flag this weekend in Melbourne?
