3 racing events in 2022
Let’s face it… the fact that you’re reading this blog indicates that you have at least some level of interest in cars. And we’re willing to bet that a fair proportion of you are motorsport fans or have cast your eyes over the latest news headlines about car racing from time to time.
So, whether you’re an avid follower of motor racing or your knowledge and experience of the key championships is much lower, we thought we’d devote this blog post to three of the events we reckon you should be getting excited about for 2022.
The Monte Carlo Rally
It’s easy at times to forget that this iconic rallying event organised on an annual basis by the Automobile Club de Monaco is actually older than the similarly legendary Monaco Grand Prix; the first running of the rally was in 1911, some 18 years before the first Grand Prix at the Circuit de Monaco.
“The Monte” is normally the opening round of the World Rally Championship (WRC), as it is set to be again from 20th to 23rd January 2022, when it will also mark the first event for the new hybrid Rally1 cars that combine combustion engines with 100kW electric motors.
Of all WRC rounds, the Monte Carlo Rally is the one that drivers especially dream of winning. The event takes place along the French Riviera in Monaco and southeast France, and the varying terrain and conditions through the mountainous stages present a unique challenge to the drivers.
Seven-time champion Sebastien Ogier is expected to be among those entering, as he embarks on a part-time campaign for Toyota. And with Ogier having won the event a record-breaking eight times in the past, it’s safe to say he will be strongly fancied for further success aboard the hybrid GR Yaris on its WRC debut.
Goodwood Festival of Speed
The name ‘Goodwood’ is steeped in motor racing history, the Goodwood Circuit having hosted memorable races on both two and four wheels near Chichester, West Sussex in the UK since the 1940s.
Fast-forward to the early 1990s, and Lord March took over the Goodwood estate. Determined to bring motor racing back to this fabled location, but lacking the necessary permit to host a race at Goodwood Circuit itself, he instead chose to host the Festival of Speed in his own grounds.
Ever since then, this annual hill climb event has been all about allowing fans to get ‘up close and personal’ with Formula 1 and other racing cars and motorbikes from across the glorious history of motorsport.
The 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed is set to take place from 23rd to 26th June, and tickets can be booked online now. So, we would strongly suggest you act now to ensure you don’t miss out on the event that has been described as “the largest motoring garden party in the world”.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Any round of the Formula 1 World Championship is obviously a massive event for motor racing enthusiasts, so for this entry, we could have picked any one of the 23 Grands Prix currently set to take place during 2022 (and yes, in case you’re wondering, that number of rounds is a new record).
So, we thought we might as well go with the intended season closer, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, presently scheduled for 20th November. Since the inaugural race in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2009, the Hermann Tilke-designed Yas Marina Circuit has played host to no shortage of thrilling encounters. To date, the most prolific winner of the event is Lewis Hamilton, who notched up five victories for McLaren and Mercedes from 2011 to 2019.
Like the WRC, Formula 1 is set to see significant change for 2022. Overhauled technical regulations that were initially expected to take effect for 2021 – but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic – will finally be introduced, including the return of the use of ground effect and the standardisation of various components.
The driving personnel, too, will be much altered across the teams when they roll up to the Yas Marina starting grid next year. 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen, for instance, will retire at the end of 2021, while his fellow Finn, Valtteri Bottas, will take his seat at Alfa Romeo Racing. Replacing Bottas at Mercedes next year will be the young starlet George Russell, presently at Williams.
The above are naturally just a sampling of the many events that are set to make up 2022’s packed and enthralling motor racing calendar. If, in the meantime, you need a new set of wheels yourself, why not apply today for affordable finance through Car Finance Genie? With our help, you might not even need a deposit in order to secure an attractive finance deal for your next car.
