We’re already in February and it’s less than 40 days away from the opening round of the 2022 Formula One season. It’s a new dawn for the sport and there are plenty of reasons why fans should be giddy with anticipation for what promises to be an enthralling spectacle.

We’ve rounded them up into five handy points so you know what to keep an eye out for this year.

The 20 cars that will take to the grid for the first time at the Bahrain Grand Prix will look dramatically different to those that raced in Abu Dhabi last December. The regulations have been dramatically overhauled so you’ll see a few very noticeable changes up and down the paddock.

The FW44 will be fitted with 18-inch low-profile tyres, with over-wheel winglets sitting above them and, for the first time since 2009, wheel covers will return. Both the front and rear wings have been completely reimagined, as have both the suspension and braking systems.

And that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to changes. But why is this all being done? Formula One’s work into these regulation changes began in 2017 with one main objective, to provide…

Firstly, it’s important to stress that this isn’t guaranteed. But, all these developments have been put in place to close the gap between the teams and allow for more wheel-to-wheel excitement.

The previous generation of cars generated high amounts of ‘dirty air’, making it very difficult for any following car to get close enough to challenge and attempt a move. Tweaks to the design of the 2022 machines have been made to tackle this problem by creating less disruptive wings with an additional focus on ground effect to generate downforce, which should mean the resultant wake behind an F1 car will be cleaner.

One thing that is for certain is the fact we’ve welcomed a new face into the team over the winter. If you didn’t already know (where have you been?!) Alex Albon will be partnering Nicholas Latifi for the upcoming year as they both compete in their third full year in the sport.

The Thai racer is back on the grid after a season in a reserve capacity and is raring to go, already putting in the miles on the simulator at Grove. Nicky is also deep into his 2022 preparation programme, similarly putting in the hard yards at our Oxfordshire home as they look to work together to harness these regulation changes.

In 2022 you’ll get more chances to get behind the team than ever before as we embark on a mammoth 23-race campaign. Featuring two triple-headers and six double-headers, we’ll be heading to five continents and 21 countries throughout the 35-week season.

We’ve also got a brand-new track to enjoy when we head to Miami in May. New venues always throw up plenty of unknowns as we have all seen over the past couple of seasons, so expect plenty of thrilling moments as we battle around the 5.41km course situated at the Hard Rock Stadium.

There are storylines aplenty to be continued and new chapters will be written throughout the paddock as we all venture into the unknown. Whether you’re trackside in the grandstands or at home supporting on TV, there will always be plenty to keep your eyes on.

Old scores will be settled and points will be proved in what is certain to be an intriguing season. No matter what happens, your support for our team will always be appreciated.