Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview: F1 heads to 2022 season finale
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview: F1 heads to 2022 season finale
The season-ending Formula 1 race for 2022 is here! But this year has been all about Max Verstappen and his dominance over the rest of the field, so the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix doesn’t have the drama and hype around it that we had last year when the Drivers’ Championship was still up for grabs.
Who has the best track record around the Yas Marina circuit for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
About 30 minutes drive from the capital city of Abu Dhabi, you’ll find the Yas Marina circuit. The circuit is more than 5.2 kilometres long and has 16 corners. Changes were made to the circuit layout in 2021 to encourage overtaking.
The 1.2 km stretch between turns five and six on the Yas Marina circuit is a particularly fast straight and will play right into the hands of Red Bull and Verstappen. Additionally, there are a few slow-speed turns where overtaking is possible and some challenging turns (10, 11, and 12) that will put drivers’ skills to the test.
The first F1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi was in 2009 when Red Bull was again in the lead. Sebastian Vettel led Mark Webber to the finish line as Red Bull secured a 1-2 finish. The following year, Vettel triumphed once more, securing his first-ever world championship with the victory.
There have been six different winners in the 13 F1 races that have taken place in Abu Dhabi. Hamilton leads all other competitors in this race with five victories under his belt.
The last two GPs have been won by Verstappen; before that, it was unquestionably a Mercedes stronghold, with Hamilton winning five of them (2011, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019), Valtteri Bottas winning one (2017), and Nico Rosberg winning one (2015).
Can Hamilton win in Abu Dhabi?
On Sunday, Lewis Hamilton will have one final opportunity to avoid having his first Formula 1 season without a victory. It will take place in the same spot where he suffered one of the most significant setbacks of his career last year. Hamilton has the chance to end 2022 on a high by returning to Abu Dhabi, where he missed out on a record-breaking eighth championship in 2021 due to a contentious last-minute change to the safety car procedure while he was leading.
With Mercedes breaking their season-long winless streak in Brazil last weekend with George Russell’s maiden victory, the chances appear much more promising. However, Lewis Hamilton still faces a difficult task and won’t ask for or anticipate any special treatment from his team.
Lewis Hamilton will not be given preference over George Russell by Mercedes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Team principal Toto Wolff says he doesn’t believe Hamilton needs it or would want it in an interview with Motorsport.com.
Who is saying goodbye to the grid
There are a few drivers on the grid who specifically won’t be thinking about the 2023 season. In fact, Sebastian Vettel will compete in Abu Dhabi in his final Formula 1 race. After a lengthy and successful sports career, the four-time world champion has decided to retire.
After Abu Dhabi, Daniel Ricciardo will also be leaving Formula 1, as McLaren has hired Oscar Piastri to take his place. Though there is speculation that Ricciardo will compete as a reserve driver for Mercedes or Red Bull Racing in 2023, we might still see him in the pit lane. The Australian intends to make a full-time comeback in 2024.
Mick Schumacher is also unsure if this will be his final season in Formula 1. Haas has announced that Nico Hulkenberg will take over as the Haas driver in 2023. The only empty space is in the Williams team, as Latifi’s contract is not renewed. So, we may bid four drivers farewell in Abu Dhabi.
