Verstappen extends 2022 record as his predecessor says goodbye
After the drama and excitement of George Russell’s first Formula 1 victory in Brazil, usual 2022 service was restored in Abu Dhabi. Max Verstappen never looked like losing, while Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc battled for second in the race and the championship – a fight won brilliantly and deservedly by the Ferrari driver.
As Alex Kalinauckas explains in our report on page 16, the di°ering strategies between Red Bull team-mates Verstappen and Perez contributed to Leclerc’s success. But Verstappen can hardly be blamed for that, particularly as it was his excellent tyre management that allowed him to be on a one-stopper – and there were several other factors that contributed to Perez falling short by 1.3 seconds.
Verstappen’s victory moves his season-wins record to 15. We compare his year to the best campaigns of previous greats on p33.
In stark contrast to the 2021 season finale, there was a lot of good feeling in the Yas Marina paddock – much of it directed at Sebastian Vettel in his last grand prix as a driver (p4). Vettel has matured into one of motorsport’s finest ambassadors and the high regard with which he is held was clear to see. Autosport wishes the four-time champion well in his future endeavours – while also being bold enough to have a go at finding a place for him in the pantheon of F1 legends (p14)…
At the other end of his career is Kalle Rovanpera. Tom Howard talks to key figures about the new World Rally champ’s rise on p38.
Kevin Turner Chief Editor
kevin.turner@autosport.com
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COVER IMAGES Sutton/Hone/Motorsport Images
PIT & PADDOCK
- Vettel waves farewell to F1 in Abu Dhabi
- Ricciardo to take Red Bull reserve role
- FIA launches all-female F4 series
- Breen returns to Hyundai WRC line-up
- Opinion: Alex Kalinauckas
- Opinion: Kevin Turner
- Feedback: your letters
RACE CENTRE
- Abu Dhabi GP report and analysis
- How Max’s 2022 compares to the greats
- World of Sport: FIA Formula 2; Macau GP
INSIGHT
- How Rovanpera is smashing records
- The team taking on NASCAR’s big players
- MotoGP review: Bagnaia vs Quartararo
CLUB AUTOSPORT
- Autosport Three Hours to return
- Full series for new Masters GT category
- RAM to Gulf 12 Hours with special livery
- Opinion: Stefan Mackley
- National reports: Brands Hatch
- Celebrating 20 years of the Fun Cup
FINISHING STRAIGHT
- What’s on this week
- From the archive: 1997 Belgian GP
- My favourite car: Richard Attwood
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ENGINEERING SUPPLEMENT
The exciting new sportscar era – and how the WEC and IMSA cooperation came about – is the main focus of our latest Engineering supplement.
