The 2022 Indycar season begins this weekend on the streets of St. Petersburg.
This year Indycar will have 17 races, with 5 Street courses, 7 Road courses and 5 oval courses (including the Indy 500)
Drivers
Romain Grosjean – Andretti Racing
Roman Grosjean had an exceptional debut season in 2021 for Dale Coyne Racing, initially missing oval courses, however during the season Grosjean tried his hand at a short oval, where he finished 14th, this may not look impressive however his finishing position tells half the story. The Frenchman never looked out of place racing on the deceptively difficult oval courses.
Romain would also visit the podium on three separate occasions including a second at the Indy road course, a race that saw the Frenchman would lead for 44 laps.
Romain Grosjean’s impressive performance in 2021 has seen him secure a seat at Andretti Racing for the 2022 season, this being one of the top seats in Indycar. He will be driving alongside Colton Herta, Alexander Rossi and rookie Delvin Defrancesco
Pato O’Ward – Arrow McLaren SP
Mexican driver O’Ward continues to drive for the Arrow McLaren SP team, who are now fully under the McLaren Racing banner. Pato had an impressive season in 2022, with two race wins and two pole positions, the victories gave him the opportunity to complete a test in the McLaren F1 car.
Pato will be hoping for more consistency in 2022 leading to a much more sustained attack at the Championship. He will be partnered with Felix Rosenquist, who endured a disappointing season in 2021, the disappointing season was not helped when the Swedish driver suffered a massive accident at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, when his car suffered a stuck throttle and crashing heavily into the wall, although Felix did not suffer any life threatening injuries, he would miss the next two rounds of the season.
Tatiana Calderon – A.J Foyt Enterprises (Road/Street Only)
Tatiana will head Stateside for a selected season in the A.J Foyt Chevrolet, missing the oval races. Calderon has had several of years experience in open wheel racing notably in F2, the Columbian driver has also raced in endurance racing with Kathrine Legge and Christina Nielsen at the 24-hours of Daytona, however car issues relgated the team to a 16th place finish.
Tatiana was given a 1 day test with A.J Foyt as part of a sponsorship agreement, during the 87 lap test Calderon impressed at the test leading to a seat for the 2022 season.
Colton Herta – Andretti Racing
Colton, son of Bryan Herta was seen as an early challenger for the 2021 title, he would utimatly finish fifth in the standings, however he would still show that he is a Champion in the waiting, with three more wins added to the CV, and some impressive come-from-behind performances, the most notable winning at Long Beach after starting 14th.
Herta needs a consistent season, with his 2021 charge beset with Mechanical issues, poor strategy calls and driving errors. The talented driver needs to show that he can sustain a challengethroughout the 2022 campaign.
Alex Palou – Chip Ganassi Racing (2021 Champion)
Alex Palou will enter the 2022 season as the reigning champion ater taking his first title in 2021. The Spaniard would only win three races last season, however his consistent points finish led him to a maiden title.
Palou and Ganassi Racing will be hoping to maintain the consistency and improving on the race wins for 2022.
Undoubtably, Palou’s second place finish at the famous Indy 500 was a highlight of his season, finishing behind the Veteran Helio Castroneves.
Honarable Mentions
Scott Dixon
Dixon is a six time Indy car Champion, who endured a disappointing season in 2021, finishing the season in 4th is not what is expected from the Australian born driver. He will be hoping for a more consistent season in 2022.
Scott McLaughlin
The 2022 Indycar season starts this weekend 26/27th February Live on Sky Sports F1 (UK)
Qualifying – Grand Prix of St Petersburg from 5.30pm
Race – Grand Prix of St Petersburg from 5pm