The highly anticipated 2022 F1 (Formula One World Championship™) season officially kicked off yesterday, ushering in the biggest technological revolution in the sport in 40 years. The new season has seen significant updates to its regulations, and Rolex, as the official timekeeper of the event, happily announced its continued role as the global partner and official timepiece of the competition, marking the milestone of their 10th year of collaboration.
As we enter the 2022 season, the Pit Lane Clock sponsored and provided by Rolex will make appearances at races on five continents. Classic race stops in Australia, Canada, Singapore, and Japan will return to the schedule, with a new race in May in Miami, Florida. This new track is 5.41 kilometers long with a total of 19 turns, making it one of the few street circuits in F1. As in previous seasons, the new F1 season will conclude with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 18-20.
Reflecting on the enduring relationship between Rolex and motorsport, three-time FIA Formula One World Champion and long-time Rolex ambassador Sir Jackie Stewart shares: “This year marks the 10th season of collaboration between Rolex and F1, showcasing groundbreaking technology, precision, and innovation at every level from the start, while sharing a mutual appreciation for exquisite craftsmanship, style, and the ultimate importance of time. For Rolex, cultivating long-term relationships is crucial, whether through connections with sporting events or legendary figures in sports.” Sir Jackie Stewart, who dominated F1 from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s, emphasized the ongoing influence of this sport, noting that Formula One has always been a pioneer in professional technology, focusing on continuous development to achieve optimal performance in the industry, “With the reset of the rules this season, all teams are aiming to be champions, making it a fiercely competitive field. Everyone involved in this sport knows that success is achieved through reliability, attention to detail, and integrity; just like in the world of Rolex.”
Looking ahead to the exciting new season, former F1 champion and Rolex ambassador, Australian driver Mark Webber shares: “This will be a very exciting year, with complex changes in the appearance and driving performance of the cars. Pre-season testing has given us some insights into the appearance of the teams, but before they seriously compete this weekend, performance and reliability are both worth considering – I think many teams are very nervous… This year also marks the 10th season of Rolex and F1, which is a wonderful milestone to showcase loyalty, something that both sides can be proud of.”
This season marks another major revision of the regulations by the FIA, nearly 40 years after the significant changes made in 1983. The latest overhaul has led to significant changes in car design, with simplification of aerodynamic components reducing the reliance on downforce generated by surface shapes. This shift aims to bring racing back to the “ground effect” seen in the 1970s and 1980s, along with larger tire sizes directly promoting more intense and close battles among the 20 drivers on the track. In addition to creating a tighter field, the rules also include the goal of achieving 100% sustainable fuel by the mid-century, while the cap on overall costs means the top 10 teams will operate under different circumstances, engaging in strategic battles for supremacy.
The new season of races took place smoothly in Bahrain last night, and if you paid attention, you should know that there were many exciting moments in the race. The performance of the teams was directly influenced by the design of the new cars, with both positive and negative aspects. This means that this major change is likely to bring the teams closer together as predicted by the FIA before the season, further intensifying the competition between teams each season. Fans, do not miss the new season of F1 races in 2022.
資料及圖片來源：Courtesy of ROLEX
