The 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit provided a definitive capstone to Formula 1's inaugural ground-effect season, with Max Verstappen converting pole position into a commanding victory and Charles Leclerc securing second place in both the race and the Drivers' Championship.
Qualifying
The grid for the final race of the 2022 season saw Max Verstappen assert his dominance by claiming pole position, a familiar sight throughout his championship year. Alongside him on the front row was his Red Bull teammate, Sergio Pérez, setting up a strong strategic advantage for the Austrian outfit. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc qualified P3, with Carlos Sainz P4, positioning the Scuderia to challenge the Red Bulls. Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell started P5 and P6 respectively, indicating their consistent presence in the top tier, though not quite at the pace of the front two teams. The qualifying session underscored the hierarchical pecking order that had largely defined the season, with Red Bull and Ferrari leading the charge.
Race
From the moment the lights went out at Yas Marina, Max Verstappen controlled the pace, executing a clean start and maintaining his lead throughout the 58 laps. The primary strategic battle unfolded behind him, a direct contest for P2 in the Drivers' Championship between Charles Leclerc and Sergio Pérez. Leclerc, starting P3, managed to hold his position, while Pérez, from P2, found himself in a tactical chess match with the Ferrari. The race saw various pit stop strategies play out, with teams attempting to optimize tyre life on the permanent circuit. Lando Norris delivered a notable performance for McLaren, securing P6 and the fastest lap of the race on lap 44, adding an extra point to his tally. Esteban Ocon brought his Alpine home in P7, ahead of Lance Stroll's Aston Martin. The race also marked Sebastian Vettel's final Formula 1 appearance, with the four-time world champion securing a point for Aston Martin by finishing P10, a fitting end to a storied career, a moment highlighted across the coverage. Unfortunately, Lewis Hamilton's race concluded prematurely due to a hydraulics issue on lap 55, a rare DNF for the Mercedes driver in a season that presented its share of challenges.