Verstappen signs off dominant season in style
DOUBLE world champion Max Verstappen signed off on a dominant 2022 Formula One campaign with a record-extending 15th win of the year in yesterday’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as Charles Leclerc secured second in the overall standings.
The Dutchman, who wrapped up the title last month in Japan with four races to spare, was unchallenged as he led from pole position to chequered flag.
He crossed the line 8.7 seconds ahead of Leclerc, who having made just one stop, held on to second ahead of Verstappen’s two-stopping teammate Sergio Perez to edge him in their battle for second.
The pair had gone into the race level on points with Leclerc ahead on a countback of wins.
Yesterday’s victory was the 35th of Verstappen’s career and second in a row at the Yas Marina track.
However, unlike last season, it was straightforward and without controversy.
Carlos Sainz was fourth for Ferrari ahead of Mercedes racer George Russell, who served a five-second time penalty for an unsafe release from his pitstop.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton had his hopes of keeping intact his record of winning a race every season dashed by a hydraulics failure.
The Briton pulled in to the pits to retire on the 55th of the race’s 58 laps.
Sebastian Vettel scored the final point in 10th on what has been an emotional swansong weekend for the Aston Martin driver. Daniel Ricciardo took points in his last race for Mclaren with a ninthplace finish. Fernando Alonso, replacing Vettel at Aston Martin next year, failed to finish his last race for Alpine. Mick Schumacher, out of a drive next season after being replaced by Nico Hulkenberg at Haas, finished 16th ahead of teammate Kevin Magnussen.
Meanwhile, four-time world champion Vettel said there was more to life than “racing in circles” as he brought the curtain down on his F1 career.
“I enjoyed the race,” said Vettel who capped a glittering career of 53 wins and four world titles with celebratory tyre-smoking doughnuts on the start-finish straight.
“I think it was a bit of a different warm up today to get into the race, but once the lights go off it’s full on race mode.”
Vettel’s impending retirement had triggered an outpouring of affection for the former Red Bull and Ferrari driver.
The tributes have flooded in, with the German’s stand on social issues and the environment and his conduct with rivals, peers, colleagues and fans endearing him to many.
His family, including father Norbert and three children, usually kept away from the public glare of the F1 paddock, were in attendance for his final bow.
Having won his last title in 2013 and last race in 2019, Vettel singed off from the sport a more popular driver than in his heyday.
“I don’t have that much more to say, I feel a bit empty to be honest,” said Vettel.
“So many flags, so many smiling faces, which has been very, very special, very nice and I’m sure
I’m going to miss more than I understand right now.”
Vettel called on the next generation of drivers to pick up where he left off.
“There’s far bigger and far more important things than racing in circles,” he said.
“But obviously it’s what we love and through that if we can transfer some of the really important values, that’s big.
“So I hope to pass on a little bit to the other drivers to carry on some of the good work.”