2022 F1 Season Summer Break Storylines

By Jeff Stinger • August 4, 2022

Formula 1 heads into the summer break after the Hungarian Grand Prix. After a heart-stopping 13-race run in 20 weeks, the paddock takes a breather before proceeding to the Belgian GP on the last weekend of August. While teams and drivers enjoy a few weeks of rest, Nitrobetting gets into the latest news, driver market speculations, Driver and Constructor standings, and more.

2022 F1 Summer Break Storylines

Mercedes progress

Lewis Hamilton ends the first half of his campaign head up high after back-to-back P2 finishes at the French and Hungarian GP, respectively. The seven-time world champion looked forward to another win at Hungary. Despite running into DRS issues during Q3, bringing him down to P7, the 37-year-old clawed his way to a podium finish by the end of the race. His string of positive performances propelled his 2022 Belgian GP odds to (+600).

The recent results speak for Mercedes’ pace. Scoring consecutive double-podiums edges the team closer to Ferrari in the Constructors’ standings. Although the team needs a miracle to keep Max Verstappen under pressure, the German manufacturer has a clear shot at securing second place in the Constructors’ championship. Furthermore, if Russell remains consistent throughout the season, he can cut down Leclerc and Perez’s Drivers’ championship lead and take second place.

Ferrari collapse

A strong expression of disapproval surrounds the Scuderia following questionable strategic calls this season. Ferrari trails Red Bull by 97 points in the Constructors’ Championship after a strategy call led to Charles Leclerc falling off podium contention on Sunday. The man from Monaco led half of the race, but slowly faded to a P6 finish after switching to the hard compound tire. Teammate Carlos Sainz also dropped out of contention and eventually finished fourth.

This marks the latest race where the Prancing Horse’s strategy calls face the hot seat, but Ferrari Formula 1 boss Mattia Binotto believes there is “nothing to change” as the team heads into the summer break, regardless of its recent blunders against rival team Red Bull.

Alpine confusion

Two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso shocked the paddock–and quite possibly his team right now, Alpine–announcing his move to Aston Martin next season. He struck a deal with Lawrence Stroll on Saturday night in Hungary to find greener pastures in Silverstone, UK. It caught Alpine off-guard. They were hopeful the Spaniard would extend his contract for a third season given his recent results for the team, but they were not ready to offer him a two-year deal.

Oscar Piastri could have been the silver lining of Alonso’s departure. However, they jumped the gun and announced a premature signing. A few hours later, the 2021 Formula 2 champion released a statement saying he would “not be driving for Alpine” next year.

Multiple storylines are brewing right now. What we know is that Piastri never said that he won’t drive for Alpine next season. We now eagerly anticipate what happens between the two camps moving forward.

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