Analysis of the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – By Joe Murphy
The 2022 Formula 1 season concluded this Sunday as the culmination of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix closed the curtain on what has been an enthralling campaign. As always, there are multiple talking points from the race in the UAE that we can discuss, as well as some wider points from the year overall. Goodbyes were aplenty so tissues at the ready as we review the final race of this year…
Max dominant as Charles seals P2
Whether Max had let his teammate through in Brazil or not, it wouldn’t have made much of a difference as it turns out. Charles Leclerc’s one-stop approach edged out Sergio Perez’ extra occasion in the pit lane approach to claim P2 for the day and the year, meaning the Mexican had to settle for P3 in both aspects. Whilst it is of relative importance in the grand scheme of things, it will matter to Red Bull as their wait for a 1-2 finish in the Driver’s Championship Standings, goes on. It was a year of dominance for the team, with Max Verstappen setting records on Sunday evening, albeit with the factor of more races to account for. Nevertheless, a 1-2 finish would have been the perfect culmination for Christian Horner’s team. Regardless, Leclerc takes P2 and was officially the closest man to Max Verstappen in terms of a challenger. Whilst that margin was vast in the end, all eyes now shift to March of next year and whether the man from Monaco can go that one step further.
Is this just Adios, and not goodbye?
F1 said farewell to multiple drivers following the flag after this Sunday’s race. Most notable of all was four time champion Sebastian Vettel. We also saw the potential last races of Daniel Ricciardo and Mick Schumacher too, with recent announcements confirming that they will not be on the grid in 2023. Logan Sergeant has been confirmed at Williams whilst Nico Hulkenburg makes it Nico Hulken-back again, but this time on a full time basis at Haas. Mick vented his frustration online earlier this week whilst the Australian is clearly more disappointed at this stage. He did promise, however, that anger would arrive when the lights go out in Bahrain in a matter of months time. As for Seb, he did steal the headlines and ran a superb race for claim P10 and his final points in the sport, very nearly getting that extra point to put Aston Martin ahead of Alfa Romeo in the standings. Alas, it was not meant to be. For these drivers, it is totally feasible that we see every one of them in the sport again. Danny Ricc has a point to prove and will certainly not shy away from a comeback. For Mick, he is still young, hungry and with two years experience could certainly prove an asset to somebody down the line, possibly Ferrari. Regarding Seb, we have seen many F1 drivers retire then return. Most famously is the hero of Mr Vettel a certain Michael Schumacher and, more recently, the man set to replace the German at Aston Martin, Fernando Alonso. If it is goodbye, what a career he has had. He will certainly go down as one of the greats.
Miserable weekend sums up season for Lewis…
A first winless campaign of his Formula 1 career. A first Pole Position-less campaign of his F1 career and the first time he has been beaten by a teammate since 2016. Lewis Hamilton endured a miserable season and events in Abu Dhabi summarised this. Whilst he, to some extent, got his own back on Sergio Perez by crucially holding him up in his pursuit of Charles Leclerc (reminiscent of the Mexican’s efforts a year prior at the same venue), his race ended prematurely as a hydraulic failure ensured a pointless conclusion to his season. However, the seven time champion is going nowhere and hopes that his struggles this season lead to a bounce back next year. Mercedes’ run of dominance may have been broken with the eventual P3 finish behind Ferrari and Red Bull, but they were still competitive and certainly are not far off contenders with a few minor tweaks.
Goodbye my lover, goodbye my friend…
The 2023 grid will be a sadder, if not faster place as the Formula 1 community saw Nicolas Latifi race in the sport for the final time. Whereas the other three men departing could possibly return at some point, you’d have to say this was unlikely for the Canadian. His four points this season were enough to at least get him into the top twenty, ahead of De Vries and Hulkenberg, but there wasn’t much else to cheer on for the team as Williams finished dead last after a one year hiatus last year. The aforementioned Sergeant will take his place along Alex Albon and the Constructor will hope that this approach of youth will reap rewards over the coming seasons.
Any standouts from the final standings?
Lando Norris will be glad to finish P7 in the standings and take the uncoveted “best of the rest” mantle. Fernando Alonso ended up behind his teammate Estaban Ocon in the final table, with mechanical issues in Abu Dhabi almost representing his year as a whole. Moreover, he will be glad for a fresh start at Aston Martin, you feel. Valtteri Bottas cemented a top 10 ginsih despite not getting anywhere near the points in practically any if the races since the culmination of the summer break. And finally, it feels like Nico Hulkenburg has been in every F1 standings table in the history of the sport. His name always appears in the standings and this year was no exception. Strange considering his hasn’t held a full time seat in a few years. Plus, this run is now set to continue for at least another couple of seasons.
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