At the end of 2021, the sport launched a campaign to encourage its fans and workers to get vaccinated. A short video included most of the F1 grid, including the likes of Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc.

The protocols to keep personnel and staff safe in F1 events has been a benchmark for many other sports and industries after it successfully pulled off 17 races in just five months in 2020, with minimal cases of the virus being registered, thanks to an efficient testing and tracing system and isolation periods. The same protocols were, again, successfully applied in 2021, with an even more diverse and long calendar of 22 races completed without major issues.

Protect our communities. Protect each other.

Please, if you're able - get vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/Cdl2rBqX2m

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 11, 2021

But for 2022, the sport is going even more rigid on its protocols, to ensure all races can be run as planned and keep its drivers and teams as safe as possible, given the new and yet to be fully understood Omicron variant. Vaccination will be mandatory for all drivers, teams, media and circuit personnel and marshals.

F1 and its race organizers are also prepared to avoid any Djokovic-like situations, with clear rules preventing any exemptions and grey areas to be exploited, as stated by the CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.

“Formula One management will require all travelling personnel to be fully vaccinated and will not request exemptions," said an F1 spokesperson.

It’s understood every driver has already been vaccinated.

This years’ calendar features three countries that were absent from the championship since the start of the pandemic, in the form of Canada (Montreal), Singapore (Marina Bay) and Japan (Suzuka). It also features a brand-new, second USA race in Miami. If it runs as planned, the 23 races will form F1’s longest-ever season.