With the 2022 year coming to a conclusion, Motorsport Week has decided to list its top five moments from the year. From comebacks to shock results to a dominant year for Red Bull and Max Verstappen, read our picks for the best moments of the campaign that concluded in Abu Dhabi last month.
5. Mercedes ends its win drought
After its painful end to the 2021 campaign, Mercedes entered the 2022 season with the hope of returning to top form amid the introduction of new technical regulations. However it wasn’t the case and right from the off, it was clear that the Brackley-based squad was in trouble compared to the competition. It was unable to fight against Red Bull and Ferrari for much of the season as it chipped away at the issues that held it back.
It seemed that it would go winless for the first time since 2011 – however at the penultimate round of the campaign in Brazil, its car revelled and delivered George Russell his very first race win. The celebrations afterwards mimicked that of a title victory as the once-dominant outfit ended its drought and returned to the top step – marking a significant highlight in an otherwise year of woe.
4. Title confusion in Brazil
Max Verstappen winning the 2022 F1 title came as little surprise following the marvellous campaign he enjoyed – however the nature in which he was crowned was bizarre, hilarious and outright confusing.
Torrential conditions were present at the Japanese Grand Prix which saw the race delayed for some time. When it got underway, just 28 laps were completed. As this was less than 75 per cent of the scheduled race distance, many assumed that half points would be awarded, and Verstappen would have to wait for another weekend to celebrate his title. But a new rule written into the regulations following the farcical 2021 Belgian GP allowed the FIA to award full points. Verstappen was declared the champion in amusing circumstances, as even the Dutchman was struggling to understand the situation after climbing out of the car.
3. French heartbreak for Leclerc
Charles Leclerc’s 2022 campaign started magnificently. He won two of the opening three races and appeared to be in control of the title fight. But things soon went against the Monegasque driver as a spin at Imola, a strategy error in Monaco, and reliability woes in Spain and Azerbaijan derailed his championship hopes.
But perhaps no moment was as painful as his self-inflicted French Grand Prix retirement. Fresh off the back of a win in Austria (which would prove to be his last of the year), Leclerc was leading the race from the Circuit Paul Ricard. It appeared that he had recaptured his form and was getting back on top of things – however a spin while leading pitched him into the wall and out of the race. It felt like the real moment that Leclerc’s title aspirations were ultimately dashed.
2. Zhou is pitched into the barrier
Often, the race start is the most dramatic moment of a grand prix weekend. It proved to be the case at Silverstone, when Zhou Guanyu was flipped on his head following contact from George Russell. The terrifying crash saw the Chinese driver roll for hundreds of metres upside down before spiralling into the crash fencing.
It was one of the scarier crashes of the last several years, but once again proved the strength of modern F1 cars. Zhou emerged from the incident unscathed despite his roll hoop failing, which caused the FIA to launch an investigation and put in additional measures for future seasons. It signalled another test for the FIA, who never sits lightly on such matters, and brought about good in the injection of a safety boost.
1. Magnussen takes pole in Brazil
The Brazilian Grand Prix weekend was dramatic for a number of reasons. We had Russell and Mercedes’ victory and the team order drama that unfolded between the Red Bull drivers. But all stories were eclipsed by the highly exciting qualifying session that saw Kevin Magnussen secure his and Haas’ maiden F1 pole position.
Haas, who spent the 2021 campaign firmly lodged at the rear of the field made gains for the 2022 season – but it was never near competing at the front. Cue changing weather conditions and an eager pair of limbs, Magnussen stormed to the fastest lap time of Q3. It was a feel-good story and one that was needed amid a year of domination from Red Bull and Verstappen. Magnussen secured a point in the Sprint before retiring in the grand prix. But it didn’t take away from the accolade that both he and the team achieved at the event.
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