Please see below for Wheel2Wheel’s first ever instalment of the W2W end of year awards. We consider all racers who took part and races that took place in 2022.
Race of the Year: Silverstone 2022
What a race! And through goes Hamilton was arguably the call of the year and capped a race that saw a maiden race winner and the first proper glance of a competitive Mercedes. There were multiple drivers in contention for a podium from this race and there was also the biggest crash F1 had seen in some time with Zhou flipping more times than a pancake. A much needed reminder that Silverstone is one hell of a race when it wants to be.
Driver of the Year: Max Verstappen
Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Lando Norris all deserve plaudits, but how can I realistically look beyond he eventual world champion. A record number of wins from an albeit bloated F1 season and some masterful performances including Hungary and Spa where he made his way through the field with almost unprecedented ease to claim victory on both occasions. The main reason he has been booed at certain venues is because of his sheer dominance and winning frequency. It will be interesting is anyone can put a credible challenge to him next year.
Mistake of the Year: Ferrari Strategy Team, Hungary 2022
There was many occasions where the Ferrari team let down its drivers. In Hungary, they effectively put the nail in their own coffin in regards to the constructor championship. After seeing Alpine struggle on the Hard Tyre, the brainiacs at the red team decided to put the same tyres on not one, but both of their cars. As a result, they not only gave up their chance of the win but missed out on a sure fire double podium. Absolutely clown-like behaviour from a team that should really know better.
Moment of the Year: KEVIN MAGNUSSEN SECURES MAIDEN POLE
It is a result none of us could have imagined. Kevin Magnussen steered his Haas to the most unlikely of Pole Positions due to a fantastic lap at the right time, before rain practically ended the session. In what was an improved yet unremarkable campaign for the American outfit, this moment where a driver who’s F1 future had all but ended just 18 months prior, was one that everybody liked.
Lap of the Year: Hamilton, Perez, Leclerc – Silverstone 2022
It’s only fitting that the lap of the year took place in the race of the season. Leclerc on older hard tyres hadn’t pitted during the safety car, which in turn had grouped these three cars together. With Sainz steaming away ahead, this battle for second and third meant fans were treated to a frenzy over this one lap. Leclerc lead, then Perez, then the Monaco man again, before Lewis steamed by on the straight to a huge ovation as the Mexican took a couple of extra corners to get back into second. Whilst, technically, this occurred over two separate laps, this sequence was by far the most exciting witnessed in 2022.
Team of the Year: Red Bull
It has to be. Despite some controversy towards their dealings of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez’ standings towards the end of Brazil, the team have been on top form. There were a couple of concerns after a disastrous Bahrain Grand Prix in the opening race, but it was simple and pure dominance since. A record number of points and wins achieved across the season. A strong year for the team who will want to forget their penalty for spending infringements the year previous.
Result of the Year: Verstappen, Spa 2022
It wasn’t the most exciting race, in fact far from it. Max Verstappen came from fourteenth on the grid to lead the Belgian Grand Prix in literally a handful of laps. Never before had somebody started from so far back and then lead so quickly. Moreover, the win was comfortable and never looked in doubt. And outstanding performance in a series of them midway through the year.
The W2W David Croft Lifetime Achievement Award: Sebastian Vettel
Even on his final lap, something was at stake for the German, falling ever so slightly short in his attempts to lift Aston Martin one place in the final Constructor’s standings. However, we need to remember all the good times experienced with the German at his peak. A win for Toro Rosso, followed by four back-to-back World Titles only ended by the start of the Mercedes era. Furthermore, his Ferrari spell brought the stiffest challenge to Lewis Hamilton’s run of dominance between Rosberg and Verstappen’s title wins. Whilst he never achieved such heights for his final team, he did achieve the first podium finish for the newly rebranded team and was consistent in a difficult car. The grid won’t be the same without him, that’s for sure.
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