Christian Horner has conceded the superiority of his Red Bull team and rivals Mercedes is under threat in 2022.
The new season gets underway on the weekend of March 18-20 to Bahrain, the first race to be governed by drastic new technical regulations.
In what represents a major overhaul of current rules, aspects such as aero-dynamic testing, tyre widths, and development of engine power units will all be restricted.
FIA chiefs hope the changes will ensure a more competitive season, with the likes of McLaren, Ferrari, and Alpine all tipped to challenge more regularly at the front age of races.
The 2021 campaign was dominated by Red Bull and Mercedes, who had drivers on the podium for 20 of the 22 Grand Prix's, 16 of which were one-two results.
In the Constructors' race, won by the Silver Arrows, the pair both finished more than 200 points ahead of Ferrari in third.
However, it was the fight for the world title between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton which may inadvertently cost both teams this year. Whilst the remaining 18 F1 organisations had leeway to start preparing for 2022, mechanics for the top two contenders had little choice but to focus short-term right up until the season-finale in Abu Dhabi.
And now Red Bull Team Principal Horner, 48, has admitted he things there could be a "shake up in the order."
“I think you could see teams like Ferrari, McLaren, maybe even one or two surprises, because it’s a complete reset of the regulations and ourselves and Mercedes were very much involved in last year’s championship fight," he told broadcaster WION.
“So inevitably, that takes a little bit of distraction and emphasis away from the following year.
“We expect to have some very fierce competition out there this year and I think it will be an exciting championship ahead.”
Pre-season testing gets underway in Spain at the end of February, which will provide the first serious indication of which teams have adapted to the alterations.
Formula 1 is a complicated sport, a complicated business,” continued Horner.
“It’s all about how you interpret the regulations, brand new rules for this year, biggest chassis change in 30 years.
“It will be fascinating to see how the teams interpret those regulations, which of course we only get to see in Barcelona.”
