It’s rare for there to be so much buzz around Formula 1 testing, but 2022 is no ordinary pre-season.

This year the cars are new — and we mean new new. The technical rules have been completely rewritten by a specially-assembled team of crack engineers not simply to look more exciting, but to improve the racing over what will be a record-breaking 23-round season.

To level the playing field spending is restricted to a base level of around $190 million per season — less than half the pre-pandemic spending of some of the biggest teams. The lowest-ranked teams in the championship are also allowed more time in the wind tunnel to try to equalise performance, similar to a football draft.

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The Formula 1 paddock is a cut-throat workplace, but sometimes friendships form in unlikely places.

And after two long, painful and demoralising seasons, Daniel Ricciardo has needed some friends.

Ricciardo occupies an interesting space in F1’s collective consciousness. Two years ago he was one of the most highly rated drivers in the sport, his skills beyond doubt. But his campaigning for McLaren hasn’t met the standards he set for himself.

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