Our Top 50 drivers of the year… (5th to 1st)

Our journalists have elected their 50 best drivers of the 2022 season, all categories combined. At the end of a long process of selection, consultation and votes, here is our verdict.

Published on 31/12/2022 à 12:00

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Our Top 50 drivers of the year… (5th to 1st)

AUTOhebdo invites you to discover the fifth part of its Top 50 with the drivers going from 5th to 1st place. ©DR

6th in the world championship Formula 1 2022 with Mercedes (9 podiums)

Stunned after the cruel scenario of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP, the seven-time world champion also had to deal with a poorly designed W13 and very far from the usual standards of the Mercedes house in the hybrid era. And a young, long-toothed wolf as a new teammate, George Russell. Although he was invited onto the podium in the opening race in Bahrain (March 20), his start to the season was sluggish. It was not until the Canadian GP (June 19), the scene of his first career success (in 2007), that Sir Lewis found the sacred fire again. Third in Montreal, Hamilton has five podiums in a row and flirts with victory in his backyard of Silverstone (UK). His end of the season is even more convincing with three consecutive 2nd places. In Brazil, his adopted country, the Briton could have won without contact with Max Verstappen (Red Bull). He must be satisfied with the first runner-up behind Russell. Hamilton, however, has no regrets. It doesn't matter that he is experiencing a season without any success for the first time since his debut in the premier category in 2007, the old king has found the flame and says he is ready to extend his lease in F1 for a few more years. With the ultimate objective of winning an 8th crown which would place him alone at the summit of Olympus.

Despite his first blank season in his 16-year career, Sir Lewis remains an ultra-complete driver / © DPPI

4 – George Russell (United Kingdom)

4th in the 1 Formula 2022 world championship with Mercedes (1 victory)

Facing Lewis Hamilton and for his first year at Mercedes, he was legitimately promised hell. It didn't take long for the young Briton to transform into a tough guy. This year, George Russell simply beat his legendary teammate. He won the only pole position for Mercedes (Hungary), but above all the only victory (Brazil) for the German team. And he was so consistent that he even finished in the Top 5 more often than Max Verstappen and others, only missing the mark three times! For a first at this level of intensity, the ex-pilot Williams impressed. Although it took time to promote it, Toto wolff now rubs his hands. Behind Verstappen and Leclerc, Russell was the best performer on the 2022 grid.

Russell will have confirmed all the promises made at Williams during his time in the big leagues / © DPPI

3 - Charles Leclerc (Monaco)

1 Formula 2022 world vice-champion with Ferrari (3 wins)

The Monegasque will not only keep good memories of this year 2022, but after two years of hardship, he will be content with them. In the hands of a very competitive Ferrari in the first part of the season, Charles Leclerc did the job almost every time he had the chance. To the point of having led the championship with 46 points ahead of Max Verstappen after three races and two victories. The Ferrari driver was then mostly weighed down by his team. Two power units giving up the ghost, an engine penalty from the back of the grid, and two major strategic errors in the space of two months, and the title was already out of reach. Not helped either by his own driving errors, at Imola (April 24) and at Castellet (July 24), Charles still had a high-flying season. He clearly beat his teammate Carlos Sainz, relegated to 62 points. After 2019, he once again finished as the person who achieved the greatest number of pole positions over the season (9). He also added three new successes to his list of achievements. Without forgetting the honorary title of vice-champion obtained at the expense of Sergio Pérez and his more competitive Red Bull.

Perhaps the arrival of Frédéric Vasseur at Maranello will allow Leclerc to take a new step in 2023? © Ferrari

2 – Kalle Rovanperä (Finland)

World champion WRC 2022 with Toyota (6 wins)

Youth in power. If Kalle Rovanperä only falls to second place in our Top 50, just behind his Formula 1 counterpart Max Verstappen, it is only because of the extraterrestrial season that the Dutch superstar gave us. The Finn deserved no less, as he left his mark on the year 2022. Impressive in maturity, consistency and talent, the rally prodigy outperformed his world in the WRC. The statistics are staggering: in addition to his six victories in thirteen rounds, Rovanperä also became the youngest world champion in history... in short, in all world competitions combined under the aegis of the FIA. At 22 years and one day (!), the Toyota driver shattered the old record in the World Rally Championship, previously held by Colin McRae at the age of 27 years and 109 days (in 1995). Never worried this season, crowned even before the last two meetings of the year, Rovanperä distinguished himself by his composure characteristic of the Finnish people. Twenty years after Marcus Grönholm's last title, the land of a thousand lakes has finally found its new hero. The beginning of a new era ?

The Finn became the youngest world champion in the history of FIA competitions © Damien Saulnier / DPPI

1 – Max Verstappen (Netherlands)

1 Formula 2022 world champion with Red Bull (15 wins)

How can we not crown the Flying Dutchman after he has had the best year of his career? With 15 wins, Max Verstappen broke the record for victories in a Formula 1 season, which belonged to Michael Schumacher (2004) et Sebastian Vettel (2013) with 13 races won. Better, since the French GP (July 24), he has only missed winning twice. Bluffing. Above all, the impatient and nervous young boy that we knew has given way to a mature champion who is perfectly in control, both of his driving and his emotions. Relieved to have finally succeeded in becoming what he had always wanted to be, he confirmed and released himself in 2022. The Batavian, at the wheel of an RB18 which he gradually got to grips with before mastering it completely, n left only crumbs for the competition. Only beaten by Charles Leclerc in the number of pole positions (9-7), Verstappen ended the year with 146 points ahead of his runner-up in the championship. Despite the sanctions addressed to Red Bull for exceeding the 2021 budget ceiling, the Dutchman will be the number 1 favorite for the coronation in 2023. It would already be the third!