2022 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix preview

The ultimate spherical of the 2022 System One World Championship takes place this weekend in Abu Dhabi, and regardless that Crimson Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen was named champion on the earlier Japanese spherical, the battle for second place remains to be very a lot alive.

Fellow Crimson Bull driver Sergio Perez and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc each sit on 290 factors going into this ultimate spherical. And both Ferrari or Mercedes-Benz AMG may find yourself in second place within the Constructors’ Championship, relying on the result of the race.

Abu Dhabi is the place Verstappen took his controversial first title a yr in the past. The race takes place yearly on the Yas Marina Circuit, a Hermann Tilke-designed circuit that is without doubt one of the newer areas on the calendar, having been opened in 2009.

The observe format stretches 3.23 miles and consists of 16 corners in addition to some quick sections. The primary nook is the beginning of a flowing sequence of bends, the place automobiles and drivers are subjected to lateral acceleration of as much as 4 g and speeds in extra of 155 mph. There are then two very lengthy straights within the center part and the final sector is tight and twisty and actually works the tires.

Pirelli has nominated its C3 because the White exhausting, C4 because the Yellow medium, and C5 because the Crimson smooth for the weekend.

The climate forecast requires dry, heat situations all through the weekend. Nevertheless, like different races within the Center East, the Abu Dhabi race begins at twilight and runs into the evening to keep away from the warmth of the day.

Going into tomorrow’s qualifying session and Sunday’s race, Verstappen sits on 429 factors within the Drivers’ Championship. Whereas Leclerc and Perez each have 290 factors, Leclerc is at present ranked second as a result of he has extra wins this season. Within the Constructors’ Championship, Crimson Bull sits on 719 factors, versus the 524 of Ferrari and 505 of Mercedes.

This yr, F1 additionally bid farewells to Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel. The four-time world champion in July introduced plans to retire from F1 after the present season, ending a profession that dates again to 2007.