Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Preview and predictions
It's already the final round of the 2022 Formula 1 Championship. While the drivers' and constructors' titles have already been decided, there's still plenty at stake in Yas Marina! Who between Sergio Perez, Charles Leclerc and George Russell will win the runner-up title? Here are our predictions for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Battles at all levels.
For the driver championship, the honorary title of runner-up will be awarded to Max Verstappen after the race. If Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez are tied with 290 points each, mathematically George Russell still has a chance to surpass them at the finish line.
To do this, it would be necessary for the first two mentioned to give up and for the Englishman to win the race and achieve the fastest lap in the race.
In Brazil, Ferrari chose not to favor the Monegasque driver, what will happen in the final round?
On the Red Bull side, Max Verstappen was forced to reconsider his position, he should thus play into the hands of his Mexican teammate.
Regarding the constructors championship, apart from Red Bull who have already clinched the title and Williams who are struggling, the positions are not a foregone conclusion.
In pairs from the second place, the battles will be intense.
So we will have to monitor the positions of Ferrari against Mercedes, Alpine against McLaren, Alfa Romeo against Aston Martin, and Haas against AlphaTauri.
The choice of tires.
The Yas Marina track is not very demanding on tyre compounds. Therefore, Pirelli has chosen to bring, just like in Monaco for example, its softest range.
For the final time this year: it’s race week! 🇦🇪🏁
The Yas Marina Circuit once again hosts the @F1 finale, with teams staying on for a one-day 2023 tyre test. This is all you need to know about the #AbuDhabiGP: https://t.co/zG7qsOAo4x#F1 #Fit4F1 #Formula1 #Pirelli #Pirelli150 pic.twitter.com/kC5H4yHXMB
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) November 14, 2022
Four drivers bid farewell to the premier category.
Retirement chosen, or forced? The outcome is the same for four of them.
Sebastian Vettel is no longer able to reconcile his personal beliefs and his passion for F1. His desire for change and surely a lot of weariness since the announcement of his departure from Ferrari at the beginning of 2020 led him to bid farewell on Sunday evening.
Three other drivers are pushed out due to their lack of performance, namely Nicholas Latifi, Daniel Ricciardo, and Mick Schumacher.
We should still see the last two mentioned in the 2023 paddocks. The Australian should maintain a role as a third driver and ambassador for Red Bull, and Mick Schumacher is likely to take up the position of third driver at Mercedes.
Editor’s predictions
After a completely crazy Brazilian Grand Prix, and the rejuvenated Mercedes, it is difficult to establish a clear hierarchy.
Some are testing themselves for 2023, while others are still in the midst of a battle to finish this 2022 campaign honorably.
Regardless, everyone will give their maximum for this last meeting of the year, and the actions on the track are likely to be more unleashed.
This is how the forecasts are rather disparate.
After the euphoria of Brazil, the Mercedes team remains at the top of the polls within the editorial staff. But this time with Lewis Hamilton regaining the advantage over George Russell, whether it’s for the quest for pole position or the race victory.
Moreover, Mercedes is always well represented.
The Red Bulls as well, and if it’s not Hamilton who is predicted to win, it’s Sergio Perez.
The editorial team at Motors Inside is therefore leaning towards a Red Bull double in the drivers’ championship. And confirms a strong resurgence in performance from Mercedes, while Ferrari continues to plummet in the rankings. Leclerc is trying as best as he can to salvage what can still be saved.
