today 15:35
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Dutch driver Max Verstappen of the Red Bull team won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the last 22nd race of the F1 season. With a record 15th triumph of the season, he sealed the second championship title of his career, which he had already secured in advance. Monegasque Charles Leclerc finished second when he managed a dramatic fight with Red Bull’s Mexican Sergio Pérez, whom he consequently overtook for 2nd place in the overall standings.
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UPDATED AT 16:18 OR VOTES
Already before the race the winner of the Constructors’ Cup was certain, which Red Bull also became early when Mercedes’ reign ended after eight years. While the champion of the 2022 season was already known, an interesting battle for the 2nd place finish between Pérez and Leclerc was expected, as both had 290 points.
The Abu Dhabi race was the last in the career of 35-year-old German Sebastian Vettel of the Aston Martin team. The holder of four championship titles (2010-2013) started from ninth position and finished in tenth place. He ended his F1 career after 299 races, in which he took 53 victories and a total of 122 podiums. Previously announced the end of F1 also Daniel Ricciardo, with whom McLaren has terminated cooperation despite the contract until the end of 2023. However, he He wants to return to the F1 carousel in the future.
Verstappen took off from the first position and defended it without problems. Hamilton took care of the only dramatic situation at the start of the race. After a great start, he got into a fight with Sainz, in which he shortened the track and advanced to 3rd place.
However, shortly after, the race direction decided that the Spaniard had to recover the previous position, so he moved up to fourth place. The Verstappen – Pérez – Leclerc trio were leading at the time. The first pit stop went badly for Russell, who was delayed for a long time by the mechanics and then released right in front of a passing car. The result was a five-second penalty for the Briton.
Most of the riders at that time switched to the hard tyres. Leclerc also didn’t make an ideal stop, he returned to the track directly to fight with teammate Sainz, in which he succeeded. On lap 28, Alonso returned to the pits and the race ended for him due to brake problems. Verstappen drove confidently, without hesitation, even though Leclerc was closing the gap on fresher tyres.
The 2-4 order changed several times, as Leclerc, Hamilton and Pérez battled it out. Just like last year, Schumacher collided with Latif in the last race of the season. Unlike the VC in 2021, their contact on lap 39 did not result in a serious crash and both continued racing. Eventually Pérez closed the gap on Leclerc, but didn’t have time to fight for the coveted 2nd place.
Votes (source: Sport 2):
Max Verstappen, winner: “It’s amazing what we’ve managed to do this season. It won’t be easy to repeat ourselves, but we’ll do our best. Today was all about management and the right strategy. For me it worked well, but it’s a shame I didn’t also Sergius”.
Charles Leclerc, 2nd year: “Despite the illness, I went 110% from the first to the last lap. We knew we could only beat Pérez with a different strategy than Red Bull. We still have a lot to improve. Strategy, race pace and other things.”
Sergio Pérez, third: “It is what it is. I gave my all, unfortunately it didn’t work out. I think we will come back stronger in a year.”
VC Abu Dhabi (58 laps, 1 lap: 5.281 km, total: 306.2 km):
1. Max Verstappen (Hol./Red Bull),
2. Charles Leclerc (Mon./Ferrari) +8.771,
3. Sergio Perez (Mexican/Red Bull) +10.093,
4. Carlos Sainz (Spain/Ferrari) +24.892,
5. George Russell (V. Brit./Mercedes) +35.888,
6. Lando Norris (V. Brit./McLaren) +56.234,
7. Esteban Ocon (Fr./Alpino) +57.240,
8. Lance Stroll (Kan./Aston Martin) +1:16.931 mins,
9. Daniel Ricciardo (Aus/McLaren) +1:23,268,
10. Sebastian Vettel (Nem./Aston Martin) +1:23.898,
11. Júki Kunoda (Japan/Alpha Tauri) +1:29.371,
12. Mick Schumacher (Nem./Haas),
13. Kuan-yu Chou (China/Alfa Romeo),
14. Kevin Magnussen (Denmark/Haas),
15. Pierre Gasly (Fr./AlphaTauri),
16. Valtteri Bottas (Fin./Alfa Romeo),
17. Alexander Albon (Thaj./V.Brit./Williams)
did not finish: Fernando Alonso (Sp./Alpine), Nicholas Latifi (Can./Williams), Lewis Hamilton (V. Brit./Mercedes)
The final classification of the 2022 season (after 22 out of 22 races):
1. Max Verstappen 454 points*
2. Charles Leclerc 308
3. Sergio Perez 305
4.George Russell 275
5. Carlos Sainz 246
6.Lewis Hamilton 240
7. Lando Norris 122
8. Esteban Ocon 92
9.Fernando Alonso 81
10. Valtteri Bottas 49
11. Daniele Ricciardo 37
12.Sebastian Vettel37
13. Kevin Magnussen25
14.Pierre Gasly23
15. Lance Stroll 18
16. Mick Schumacher 12
17. Juki Cunoda 12
18. Kuan-yu Chou 6
19.Alexander Alban 4
20. Nicola Latifi 2
21. Nyck De Vries (Hol./Williams) 2
22. Nico Hulkenberg (Nem./Aston Martin) 0
Constructors’ Cup final standings:
1. Red Bull 759 points*
2. Ferrari 554
3.Mercedes 515
4. Alpine 173
5.Mclaren 159
6. Alfa Romeo 55
7. Aston Martin 55
8.Has 37
9. Alfa Tauri 35
10.Williams 8
*-the winner