McLaren dismiss prospect of single-team dominance in 2022

Zak Brown in a Supercars media session — Photo: © LAT Images

McLaren

McLaren dismiss prospect of single-team dominance in 2022

CEO Zak Brown is expecting "a few winners and losers"

Sam Hall & Ian Parkes

Wednesday 22 December 2021 14:57

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McLaren CEO Zak Brown is expecting F1 in 2022 to provide "a few surprises" and not be dominated by a single team as has occurred in recent years with Mercedes.

With the introduction of the turbo-hybrid era in 2014, Mercedes took a stranglehold on F1, winning seven consecutive constructors' championships relatively untroubled.

It added an eighth title this year but only following a see-saw battle with Red Bull who at least managed to claim the drivers' crown through Max Verstappen.

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With the introduction of new aerodynamic regulations for next season, the pecking order is at least expected to undergo a shake up which Brown is convinced will avoid one team ruling.

"I’d be very surprised if next year was a boring campaign," said Brown. "With the new cars, I think we’re going to get some winners and losers and a few surprises.

“I’d be surprised if there was dominance. You could get a team maybe dominant for a small period of time, like Brawn when they figured out something in 2009.

"But I think with the cost cap now in place, you can feel the tension that has put on.

“The teams stopped developing this year’s car at the expense of next year etcetera, so I would be surprised if the field didn’t continue to get closer."

This year's title fight came down to a last-race showdown in Abu Dhabi with both championships on the line between Red Bull and Mercedes, Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

With a record-breaking 23 races on the calendar for next year, Brown would love for next year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to go one step further.

“My hopes are that we come to Abu Dhabi next year with three of four cars that can compete for the championship," added Brown. "That is the ultimate goal.

“This year has been spectacular up and down the grid and I hope with what has been put in place with the new cars and the aerodynamic package, what we are seeing now is just a taste of the future.”