With nothing left to play for, the 2022 Formula 1 season finale had that clichéd end-of-the-school atmosphere as Max Verstappen claimed a commanding and season-high 15th victory.
Follow Us
Max Verstappen put on the kind of performance that characterised his astonishing 2022 with pole and victory in Abu Dhabi, shaking off the team orders dispute that unpredictably erupted in Brazil last weekend. Red Bull did not have everything their way, as Charles Leclerc defeated Sergio Perez to take second place and, with it, the runner-up position in the final standings. The final positions on the 2023 grid were chosen, and it provided a chance to bid a final farewell to a few faces, most notably four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel. The track action returned to the form guide following the adrenaline-packed Brazilian round. Here are the key takeaways from what we learned from F1’s 2022 season finale.
The team orders controversy at the Brazilian Grand Prix spilled over into the pre-race focus in Abu Dhabi, and Max Verstappen unnecessarily ruined his 2022 campaign by failing to support teammate Sergio Perez in his quest for a team 1-2 finish in the standings. Verstappen’s supremacy this season is undeniable, as seen by the fact that he won the Yas Marina Circuit race and claimed pole position, making it his third straight victory at the Abu Dhabi track. However, the latter point is still up in the air. It increased his record for most victories in a season to 15, coming from 22 races, a win % only surpassed in four subsequent F1 seasons.
However, the crucial factor in Verstappen’s victory was its nature. Completely in control, he set the pace from the front and, if a challenge arose, had both performance and tyre life under control. His performance in the Belgian GP may have been his most complete of the year, and it served as a reminder to his competitors about the standards they must attain to defeat him in 2023.
Read More- With IndyCar, Ricciardo is ‘mentally not there’ and is set on an F1 role in 2023.
Charles Leclerc and Ferrari have struggled this season, as evidenced by the fact that he went from winning two of the first three races to clinging to second place in the drivers’ standings. To the Scuderia’s credit and comfort, though, Leclerc improved upon his performance in Abu Dhabi while behind the unchallenged Max Verstappen to defeat Sergio Perez for second and, as a result, claim the runner-up position in the overall standings. The one-stop strategy and making the tyres last were crucial to Leclerc’s success. He also pulled a dummy to get Red Bull to pit Perez for a second stop. Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto viewed it as a victory for both his driver and the team’s strategy, which has frequently been criticized, and believed it was proof that his team can make the right decisions when it matters most.
Even if a victory was still too far off, it provided hope heading into the winter for a Ferrari title fight that this year’s model lacked. The moment to deliver will be the next year; otherwise, the initial rumours that Binotto’s position is in jeopardy will only get louder.
While a 1-2 in Brazil saved Mercedes from its first winless season since 2011, the German automaker has nonetheless had a humiliating experience in 2022. Mercedes had a challenging weekend in Abu Dhabi, even with the big problems worked out and the porpoising and bouncing being mostly mitigated from the W13. Lewis Hamilton was forced to retire due to a mechanical issue (although the team’s first and only of the season), while George Russell was given a five-second penalty for an unsafe release in front of Lando Norris due to a slow pit stop. He was relegated to sixth place, far behind the Ferraris and Red Bulls.
One pole, one win, and 16 additional podium finishes between him and Russell is a haul the majority of the grid can only dream of, but Hamilton’s summary of the Abu Dhabi GP representing the team’s entire year may be a little dramatic, but it did well to capture the team’s end-of-season reflections. Mercedes is said to have taken the W13’s built-in issues into account and fixed them in the 2023 model. But in order for it to get back to being a reliable frontrunner and title contender, it will be crucial for it to close the development gap with Red Bull and Ferrari over the winter.
With tributes from every corner of the paddock, Sebastian Vettel’s protracted farewell to Formula One, which he announced before of the Hungarian Grand Prix in July, came to an end in Abu Dhabi. It was an indication of how big of a vacuum Vettel will leave in Formula 1. From his early years as a breakout talent driving Toro Rosso to a startling first victory to his four world titles with Red Bull, his thrilling but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to lead Ferrari back to glory, and finally his two-season salvo at Aston Martin, Vettel has played a crucial part in the history of the sport.
The 35-year-old knew it was time to leave as his priorities shifted to more important issues, such as environmental issues and the allure of home and family life with young children. It is evident that F1 wasn’t prepared to say goodbye, however, given the outpouring of support for Vettel since his decision to retire. His influence as a prominent figure in motorsport increased along with his knowledge and stature. People listened to Vettel every time he spoke. Vettel won’t be a stranger to Formula One for very long, though, given his reputation and extensive ties in the paddock. It will be fascinating to see where he appears and what he does next.
Next season, Daniel Ricciardo could have competed in Formula One if he had truly desired it, or he could have travelled the United States in a competitive IndyCar, but neither choice entirely satisfied him. The Australian opted for a reserve ride with a premier team over a potential racing reprieve with Williams or Haas, and at Abu Dhabi, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko let slip that Ricciardo was close to joining the Milton Keynes team as a third driver. Since leaving Red Bull, Ricciardo’s wanderlust has led him to Renault and then McLaren, where his performance has declined over the last four years. As a result, the Western Australian has tried to stop the decline by going back “home.” At this point, it is unclear what the anticipated third driver position will entail, but it is anticipated that Ricciardo will concentrate primarily on promotional tasks rather than serving as a reserve at all of next year’s races.
