Max Verstappen ends the season with a victory in Abu Dhabi, Charles Leclerc is vice-champion

Who else but Max Verstappen (Red Bull) could conclude the 2022 season of Formula 1 with a victory? The Dutch driver completed an idyllic year with a 35th career victory, his third in a row on the circuit of Yas Marina and the 15th of the year, this Sunday, November 20. This is a new record for victories recorded in one year.

The double F1 world champion took off from the first corner of this race. His teammate Sergio Pérez, at his side on the starting grid, did not attempt to overtake him on the inside of the first braking. It was the only moment of slight tension in the camp of Max Verstappen, who continued to increase his lead throughout the 58 laps.

As night fell in Abu Dhabi, the focus of this final shifted to the fight for second place in the Drivers' championship. This pitted Sergio Pérez against Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), both tied on points before the start.

Charles Leclerc finished 2nd in the drivers' championship ahead of Sergio Perez 👏

To the point of eclipsing yet another victory for Max Verstappen 🏆#AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 | #F1 pic.twitter.com/FuNAFWs2QB

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) November 20, 2022

Knowing itself to be disadvantaged in terms of top speed and identical strategy, the Scuderia took the gamble of only stopping Charles Leclerc once, unlike Red Bull who changed the Mexican's tires twice.

By remaining on the track, the Monegasque stole second place from his opponent, who was banking on fresher tires to catch up with him in the final laps. Alas, Sergio Pérez narrowly failed, less than a second! Charles Leclerc therefore finished second in this 2022 season, ahead of Sergio Pérez.

Left behind by the Red Bulls and the Ferraris, the Mercedes had to make do with crumbs. Lewis Hamilton was running at the foot of the podium when his gearbox failed. This is the first time in his career that the seven-time world champion has finished the year beyond the top 5, as Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) overwhelmed him at the last minute this Sunday! George Russell arrived in 5th place.

Lewis Hamilton in slow motion! Gearbox problem 😩#AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 | #F1 pic.twitter.com/cHx9fwnq6S

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) November 20, 2022

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was also an opportunity to attend the farewells of Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin). The four-time world champion with Red Bull first sparked by battling with the Alpine byEsteban Ocon et Fernando Alonso, before downshifting due to an offbeat and uninspired strategy (a stop to finish on medium tires). The newly retired finished 10th and scored his last point in F1.

#DankeSeb for this exceptional career 🙏😍

Farewell of an F1 legend 🖐️#AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 | #F1 pic.twitter.com/CxGlLPmTNa

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) November 20, 2022

His replacement at Aston Martin in 2023, Fernando Alonso, retired due to a mechanical problem, probably a water leak. Despite this failure, Alpine maintains his fourth position in the Manufacturers' standings with Esteban Ocon 7th, ahead McLaren, despite the 6th place of Lando Norris.

It is precisely in the McLaren box that Daniel Ricciardo competed in his last Grand Prix, before dropping back to third driver rank at Red Bull next year. The Australian did not spark (9th).

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Other drivers to say “goodbye” at least for 2023, Mick Schumacher (Haas) and Nicholas latifi (Williams) evolved anonymously at the back of the peloton. Eager to get some light this evening, they collided on the 39th lap. The Haas, Williams, Alpha Tauri et Alfa Romeo did not score any points.

The clash between Schumacher and Latifi which ends in the wall 💥#AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 | #F1 pic.twitter.com/2oJ05HYWZm

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) November 20, 2022

Find the analysis of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the next issue of AUTOhebdo, on sale Monday evening digitally and Wednesday on newsstands.

Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2022 Ranking: