F1: Verstappen wins record 15th race of year at Abu Dhabi GP

By Mark Cipolloni

World Champion Max Verstappen led the 2022 Abu Dhabi GP from start to finish to ease to his 15th F1 race win of the year, another new record, by 8-seconds.

Using a 1-stop strategy, Verstappen nursed his Pirelli tires and made only one pitstop, as did 2nd place Charles Leclerc.

Leclerc held off a charging Sergio Perez, on a 2-stop strategy, by just over 1-second.

Perez could finish no better than third in the 2nd Red Bull and as a result, Leclerc beat him and clinched 2nd place in the Driver’s championship. Meanwhile, Ferrari beat Mercedes for 2nd place in the Constructors’ championship.

Perez made two stops and that was the wrong strategy, which cost him 2nd place in the final point standings.

It was the third straight victory here for the Dutchman. Behind him, through the resulting smoke, Leclerc emerged around the last corner just ahead of Perez. It was a valiant drive for the Mexican, but second in the championship goes to the Ferrari man.

“It’s how it is sometimes, at the end of the day, I have to be happy as I gave it my all, and I’m sure we’ll be back stronger next year,” said a disappointed Perez.

“We had great moments, I did struggle a bit with these tires this year in terms of managing them in the race, so I’m sure that is something we can improve for next year.”

“It was a good race, all about tire management,” said Verstappen.

“Incredible to win again here and 15th win of the season – unbelievable. It’s been really enjoyable to achieve something like this, this year, I know it will be hard to replicate, but it is good motivation to try and do the same next year.”

“I was 110% from the first lap to the last lap,”said a tired Leclerc.

“We had the perfect race, we didn’t have much more today. I knew the only way to beat Checo was with a different strategy. I really hope next year we can do a step forward to fight for the championship – we will push in the winter break to catch them back a little bit.”

Carlos Sainz Jr. finished 4th in the #55 Ferrari, while George Russell rounded out the top-5 for Mercedes, way behind the leaders.

Lando Norris and Esteban Ocon were 6th and 7th Stroll, while Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel rounded out the points.

“I enjoyed the race, once the lights go off it was full on race mode,” said Vettel after his last ever race.

“We didn’t go for maybe the best strategy, but overall, it was a big day, and thank you for the support. So many flags, so many supporting faces. I’m sure I’m going to miss this more than I can think of. I don’t have much more to say, I feel empty, it’s been a big weekend. These last two years have been disappointing to me from a sporting point of view but big for me in my life. I want the other drivers to carry on the good work, I think there are far bigger and far more important things than racing in circles.”

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, Nicholas Latifi and Fernando Alonso were the only three not to make it to the checkered flag.

This is the first year Hamilton has not won a pole or a race, as his teammate George Russell beats him in the final point standings.

Race Results – 58 Laps