The big retro 2022 AUTOhebdo: our favorites

Jérémy’s favorite

De Vries, a heart like that

This year I was blown away by the first weekend of the rest of Nyck De Vries' life in Monza (Italy). When we like to witness the launch or the fulfillment of destinies, how can we remain indifferent to what the Dutchman did in Lombardy? There are appointments with destiny that one cannot miss and in Italy De Vries did not miss it.

La F1 is a sport so particular, so political, so inextricably linked to money that sportsmanship or merit are not always the most important notions. In swimming or athletics, you just need (good luck anyway!) to achieve the world time minimums to go to the Olympic Games and make your dream come true.

In the car, it's about places, opportunities, and the alignment of planets... His were not. His title of champion of F2 2019 acquired in 3rd year was not enough. His title of champion of Formula E Neither is 2021. And then. An attack of appendicitis. Not for him, but for Alexander albon. A call from Williams. A leap into the void. A qualification for Q2. In front of the holder Nicholas latifi. An 8th place on the grid. A final 9th ​​place the next day in the Grand Prix. Two points. With a Williams. For his first. Without any preparation.

Nyck de Vries is probably not of the caliber of Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, George Russell or even Lando Norris. But he had half a chance and he took it. His tears, his immense satisfaction, and above all his consciousness of having achieved something great, were a delight to observe. One of the times of the year. Pure emotion. And this feeling that there is still a little room for merit. Even when it comes to a second or third chance!

Nyck de Vries didn't miss the opportunity at Monza / © Williams Racing

Gonzalo's favorite

Loeb vs Ogier : titan duels at Monte-Carlo

What a spectacle the two Sébastiens gave us at the start of the year. For the first of the hybrid era, Sébastien Loeb and Sébastien Ogier, now in luxury freelance roles at M-Sport et Toyota, reminded their comrades that they were incontestably the bosses of the WRC.

Too strong for the rest of the field, the Tricolores fought a battle worthy of the name, which took them to the final stages of the Monaco classic. On the momentum of his 8th title, Ogier seemed to be heading straight towards a 9th victory at Monte-Carlo. This was without counting on a puncture in the 15th SS but above all on Loeb who had regained his splendor at the wheel of a very fast Ford Puma.

Thus, the duel between the two multiple champions was played out in the final moments. The Alsatian finally had the last word. At the age of 47 (48 today), he won an 8th Monte-Carlo by barely 10 seconds ahead of Ogier, 9 years after his previous success in the opening round of the WRC calendar.

Nothing better to kick off the season!

17 WRC champion titles in the photo all the same! / © DPPI

Medhi’s favorite

Eternal Scott Dixon

In 2022, the trend towards youthism has increased, with the takeover of Kalle Rovanperä in the WRC and the continuation of Max Verstappen's reign in F1.

But IndyCar, the old people are still resisting! Proof of this is that Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing) was the perfect example of this terribly fashionable word: resilience. The 42-year-old New Zealander started the season on the wrong foot, missing the podium in the first six rounds, a first since 2003.

His season was thought to have been launched in earnest with the pole at the Indianapolis 500, accompanied by the best average speed ever recorded in qualifying (376,58 km/h), but excessive speed in the pits ruined his race.

Fortunately, the second half of the season was more convincing. Winner in Toronto (Canada), he dethroned the legendary Mario Andretti as second best performer in terms of IndyCar victories (52) at the end of a wild race in Nashville (Tennessee). First hit from behind, thrown back to 23rd on lap 23 following a pit stop to repair the flat bottom, Scott Dixon did not worry and was able to move back to the lead thanks to various neutralizations and a better sequence pit stop.

A few weeks later, he erased a failed qualifying in Portland (16th, Portland) by sparing his tires, while seizing every opportunity to overtake on a winding circuit (3rd). A seventh title narrowly escaped him, but it's good to see experience have its place against the youngsters!

At 42, the six-time IndyCar champion still has resources! / © DPPI

Dorian's favorite

Crazy samba in São Paulo!

Interlagos never disappoints. If the examples are very numerous, the 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix has been added to this long list. Penultimate meeting of the season, the Brazilian event was also the third and final weekend of Sprint Racing, a format already used (and proven) at Interlagos during previous campaigns. And Formula 1 was not mistaken…

Friday, qualifying day: under intermittent rain, characteristic of this region of the globe, fortune favors the most daring. Against all odds, Kevin Magnussen signs a sensational pole position in front of Max Verstappen, and consistently! History for Haas, historic for Denmark, historic for F1, quite simply.

Saturday, Sprint Race day: under a big blue sky, the Dane resisted two short laps in the lead before being overtaken by the cruel reality. And this reality is called Mercedes. Very far from their usual standards at the start of the season, lost in the development and understanding of their W13, the Silver Arrows return to the forefront with disconcerting strength in Brazil, and a double in the qualifying race.

Sunday, race day: with the maturity of a great driver, George Russell asserts himself against the pressure of a seven-time world champion, his teammate Lewis Hamilton, to win the first Grand Prix of his career. In tears upon arrival, the young Briton takes his revenge, two years later, for the terrible failure of Sakhir.

And again, I neglect to talk about the multiple battles on the track, the spectacular overtaking like that ofAlonso on Bottas or even the post-race controversies between Verstappen and Pérez… Interlagos never disappoints. Hopefully this legendary circuit stays on the calendar for as long as possible!

Historic pole for Magnussen and Haas, while Russell opens his counter. A memorable weekend in Interlagos / © DPPI

Valentin's favorite

Homeric Battle at Silverstone

The birthplace of Formula 1 was the scene of the most spectacular Grand Prix of the 2022 season. From a chaotic start to the victory of Carlos Sainz going through the incomprehensible strategy of Ferrari or the setbacks of Max Verstappen, things happened in the Northamptonshire lair on July 3. In particular, this incredible fight for the podium.

The Battle of Britain for second place in this 73rd British Grand Prix was glorious with a heroic Charles Leclerc on tires in agony, a Sergio Pérez returning from the devilish vauvert after having damaged his car at the start of the race, a Lewis Hamilton galvanized by a reinvigorated W13 and a public totally committed to his cause, a Fernando Alonso still there to show his nose and even a Lando Norris in the VIP box to admire the crossovers offered by his rivals.

How can you not stand up with the English public when your favorite surprises both Pérez and Leclerc, too busy bickering to take care of him? Or not to be admiring in front of the adamantium mind of the Monegasque who is outside the seven-time world champion in Copse? Gentlemen, you were great that day.

Silverstone always offers a great show on the track / © DPPI

Gautier’s favorite

Ross Chastain’s “Move”

Ross Chastain performed a maneuver as crazy as it was brilliant to overtake 5 competitors in the last turn of the Martinsville round, going from a 10th elimination place to a 5th qualifier for the grand final in Phoenix.

Launching his car at full speed in the back straight, Chastain came up against the outside wall before the turn and burst out in a shower of sparks in the final straight to beat his great rival Denny Hamlin and to qualify.

If it is not prohibited, it is in fact authorized and Ross Chastain had the lucidity after 500 loops and more than 3 hours of testing to calculate the risk / benefit ratio, to put his survival instinct in safe mode and throw yourself towards the unknown.

This “Move”, between Gran Turismo in “damage-free mode”, Bobsleigh and Mario Kart, obviously poses an important security question, but at a time of penalties for abuse of Track Limits, let's not shy away from our pleasure!

Between a stroke of genius and a stroke of madness, Chastain's "Move" has already entered the history of NASCAR / © Getty

Julien's favorite

Verstappen walks on water at Suzuka

Installed in pole position and with a more than comfortable lead in the world championship, the driver Red Bull could have adopted a conservative attitude when the lights went out at the Japanese Grand Prix. Especially since the pack was released onto a wet track via a standing start, which I applaud with both hands.

Victim of a slight wheel spin, the Dutchman was overtaken by Charles Leclerc's Ferrari from the first meters. With his Monegasque rival well wedged on the inside approaching the first corner and the famous Esses, Verstappen could have played it safe. This is not knowing the animal well.

Despite his length of delay, the Flying Dutchman remained "with his foot in" and had the luxury of going outside Leclerc to regain control of a race which was interrupted a few minutes later due to a violent Carlos Sainz goes off the track.

If there was a lot to complain about after this race at Suzuka (between the presence of a crane on the track and Max's coronation in total confusion), the spectacle on the track was sublime. And this from the first meters of the Japanese event.

Verstappen retained control of the Japanese GP with authority and mastery at the start / © DPPI