By Joe Murphy
Brazil plays host to the penultimate race of the 2022 Formula 1 season but we will also witness the final sprint event of the campaign. K-Mag claimed an incredible career-first Pole Position in a result that nobody could have predicted. He therefore lines up alongside Max Verstappen for the Sprint Race that is set to take place on Saturday evening, but what else can we expect to see over the weekend?
Max WINS!
Over the course of the sprint race, you’d expect Max to pass his Danish rival at some point. Its a pretty shaken up grid with Ferrari’s, Red Bull’s and Mercedes’ all over the place, and plenty of others cars seemingly out of position. Despite the other podium places being far less certain, Max taking victory is surely the least surprising thing that could happen this weekend. As for Magnussen, depressingly, it would still take a miracle for the driver making his 137th race start this weekend to even make the podium. A solid points finish of P8 is surely a more realistic expectation for Haas.
Leclerc above Perez
Mexican Sergio Perez stated earlier on in the week that his target is still to come second in the Driver’s Championship standings. Making it a Red Bull 1-2 would complete the year of near total dominance from the constructor. However, Charles Leclerc and Ferrari will have something to say about that. The Italian outfit aren’t even guaranteed to finish above Mercedes yet, and need to sure up second place for all the extra prize money and revenue that could bring in. Neither Ferrari car is in a prime position for the Sprint Race, but both drivers should make a few gains before Sunday’s lights out. Perez could struggle this weekend in comparison, and the race for second will go to Abu Dhabi.
Lando or Estaban outside podium chances
Both men have promising starting spots for the Sprint Race, and there is little to no reason for them to drop back significantly before Sunday unless they encounter a major issue or make contact with anyone else. The Alpine/McLaren battle is another incentive for these two to make optimum use of their advanced grid positions. Lando certainly has the skill to take advantage of any misfortune ahead, and both should at least jump K-Mag over the remaining parts of the weekend. Back the orange car to be an outside bet of a podium this weekend. Estaban could find himself around the lower points positions.
Russell to have a better weekend that his teammate…
George starts the sprint race ahead of his veteran teammate and should be able to hold this advantage over the remaining course of the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend. Lewis Hamilton wasn’t the Mercedes who ended up in the gravel yesterday, but due to some bad luck and timing of the rain, he finds himself with a lot of work to do and spaces to make up much like he did this time last year at the same track. George Russell is probably going to end up on the podium and P2 is a great shout if he avoids contact and complications on both Saturday and Sunday.
Mick’s penultimate chance?
Mick Schumacher is fighting to save his 1 career at present. He starts last in a race where his teammate starts first. Although the Dane had luck on his side, he was still the quicker driver by a considerable margin. For a man that was out of the sport a year ago, it is a brilliant achievement and one the team for never forget. One man in that garage who won’t have been so happy is the young German driver. There has been whispers on Hulkenberg taking the final seat on the grid for 2023, whereas the Daniel Ricciardo rumours may have calmed down, but have by no means gone away for good. It may already be too late, but Mick needs a miracle this weekend. Haas already have had one miracle this weekend. Could they have another? Probably not.
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