Anticipation is already building once again as Formula 1 fans enter the new year with a world champion who doesn’t represent the Mercedes brand for the first time since 2014.
That’s after Max Verstappen snatched victory from Lewis Hamilton’s grasp to bring Red Bull their first F1 title in eight years, not to mention his maiden championship in highly controversial circumstances.
Many have foretold this to be the beginning of the Verstappen era in earnest, with the 24-year-old Dutchman eager to forage his own dominant path among motorsport’s elite.
The ‘Decider in the Desert’ denied Hamilton a multitude of accolades, not least the chance to move clear of Michael Schumacher as the most successful driver in F1 history.
Victory in December’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix would have made the Briton the first to ever win eight world titles and only the second to win five in a row.
Questions have loomed as to whether Hamilton will even return in 2022 following that disappointment, but the sport doesn’t appear ready to bid farewell just yet.
MotorsportWeek.com has broken down the bookmakers’ top contenders to claim F1’s highest honour in 2022, complete with the latest odds and a variety of betting promotions.
Lewis Hamilton (11/8)
The old adage dictates one should never drive angry, but try telling Hamilton that after the debacle that unfolded at the Yas Marina Circuit last month.
The 37-year-old has remained noticeably quiet in the wake of that disappointment, but with another two seasons to run on his deal, Mercedes appear confident their poster boy will be back…
And the bookies appear to believe as much considering Hamilton’s 11/8 odds are the shortest on the grid, with only fine margins separating him from champion Verstappen in 2021.
Small improvements here and there could mean the difference in 2022, or alternatively, we could see the ageing seven-time champion slip further off the pace as he ebbs towards retirement.
Max Verstappen (2/1)
The new kid on the block arrived in all his glory this past year, but if the volatile Verstappen had a target on his back in 2021, one can believe it’s grown twice the size as titleholder.
The son of former F1 driver Jos pulled off the biggest achievement of his career to date under a cloud of controversy, but one could still take little from the feat considering his performances across the season…
“I always say that I’m never perfect in any area,” Verstappen said ahead of the 2022 campaign. “Tiny things, how can I prepare myself better or make sure I understand the balance of the car better. How I can understand the tyres better.
“You always look at these kind of areas to try and understand or learn from the experience that I’ve had so far.”
It’s that kind of hunger and competitive nature that’s likely to ensure Verstappen won’t be resting on his laurels over the next 12 months, which makes his 2/1 price look all the more enticing.
George Russell (5/1)
Simply driving for the most powerful manufacturer in modern F1 is at least enough to put you in the frame for a title challenge, as George Russell has found out following his move to Mercedes.
It would be typical for one British driver to end his career with the company only for a compatriot to step in and inherit the throne, though Williams star Russell has a big step up ahead of him…
Fans caught glimpses of the 23-year-old Norfolk native’s talent as he finished 15th overall in 2021, not least of which at the Belgian Grand Prix where he placed second, his maiden podium finish in F1 – albeit under unusual circumstances.
“It’s a strange feeling because I’ve tested with the team numerous times after races, end-of-season and now here we are again, but obviously it’s my first time as an official driver for the team,” said Russell after testing for Mercedes in December.
“So it was a really great day to be back with the guys and learning about these new tyres. It’s obviously always a pleasant experience driving a World Championship-winning car, the 2019 Mercedes, and with these 18-inch Pirellis, which seemed to react pretty positively so yes – it was a nice day.”
2022 F1 Drivers’ Championship Odds
| Driver (Manufacturer) | Championship Odds |
| Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) | 11/8 |
| Max Verstappen (Red Bull) | 2/1 |
| George Russell (Mercedes) | 5/1 |
| Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) | 14/1 |
| Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) | 25/1 |
| Sergio Perez (Red Bull) | 33/1 |
| Lando Norris (McLaren) | 40/1 |
| Fernando Alonso (Alpine) | 40/1 |
| Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) | 66/1 |
| Esteban Ocon (Alpine) | 80/1 |
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