Written by Georgia Jenkins, Edited by Harshi Vashee
Succeeding the phenomenon of an F1 season that was 2021 - ten months of enthralling battles, thrilling overtakes, unpredictable weather, new tracks, surprise race winners and a Maiden World Champion - fans are understandably suffering to deal with its absence in the wake of 2022. The, arguably, greatest season of all time saw Max Verstappen crowned as the World Champion in that iconic last lap Abu Dhabi showdown. This overwhelming excitement has now left an anticlimactic feel to the weekends, with fans yearning to see racing return. With just under two months until the lights go out in Bahrain, here are some tips to make the most of the 2022 season build up.
Keep yourself entertained!
There are endless ways in which you can remain immersed in the world of F1 during the off-season, whether it’s binge-watching Netflix’s exhilarating Drive to Survive or getting lost in one of the former drivers’ fantastic autobiographies. Some books definitely worth a read include:
*To Hell and Back: An Autobiography by Niki Lauda
*How To Be An F1 Driver: My Guide To Life In The Fast Lane by Jenson Button
*Aussie Grit: My Formula One Journey by Mark Webber
*A Different Kind of Life by Virginia Williams
*How to Build a Car: The Autobiography of the World’s Greatest Formula 1 Designer by Adrian Newey
For any film fanatics, the biographical movie Rush (2013) perfectly captures the intense rivalry between Niki Lauda and James Hunt during the 1976 Formula One season. Senna (2010), McLaren (2017) and the recently released documentary Schumacher (2021) are also worth a watch!
Gentlemen, a short view back to the past…
It cannot be denied that live racing is like nothing else, its electrifying atmosphere and unpredictability are the reasons that many catch the so-called ‘motorsport bug’. However, reminiscing can be just as invigorating! Revisit some of the craziest races, historical battles and epic title deciders on F1TV. These will be sure to have your heart pounding just as much as any live-action race start.
Stay updated online
Although racing has ceased for the time being, the off track drama certainly has not! Ensure that you are kept in the loop by following teams, drivers and, of course, Formula One on social media platforms. You will now have the inside scoop on any breaking news and, perhaps most importantly, the 2022 car launch dates. Aston Martin, Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren are the only teams to have released their dates as of yet, so stay tuned for the remainder of the grid to make their announcements.
Become a racing driver for the day
Formula One drivers have all progressed up the motorsport ladder in slightly different ways, but all of their careers began with karting. While their glamorous lifestyle seems far from achievable, you can go back to their roots and indulge in their early day experiences by spending a day out at your local karting track. This is the perfect opportunity to get a taste of wheel-to-wheel racing and to participate in the on-track action instead of just observing. Who knows, you might develop a flair for it!
Delve deeper into the world of motorsport
If the above suggestions do not suffice, use this free time to discover new motorsport championships beginning earlier in the year. Round 1 of the 2022 Formula E season (28th January), 24 Hours of Daytona (29-30 January), the Nascar Cup Series (beginning on the 6th of February) and the IndyCar series (commencing on the 27th of February) are just a few examples. While these are just recommendations, hopefully this can act as a catalyst to your (inevitable) obsession for alternative auto racing series, not just Formula One.
These tips will surely help you make the most of Formula One's time off. Let us know how you spend the off-season!
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