Status: 11/20/2022 4:21 p.m
In an emotional Formula 1 final, Sebastian Vettel gave himself a farewell gift, at least a small one. The four-time world champion worked his way into the points for the last time in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (November 20, 2022) in tenth place. Vettel drove his 299th and last Grand Prix – and once again showed his entire passion for racing with some criticism of strategy.
Max Verstappen won once again, it was his 15th win of the season. Behind him, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc secured second place in the world championship at the last minute. Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull had to settle for third place in a direct duel with the Monegasque.
Praises for Vettel – “Fantastic, outstanding, unique”
53 victories, 57 pole positions, four world championship titles – Vettel has immortalized himself in the Formula 1 history books. After 16 years, he will now have more time for his family and projects off the asphalt. And yet there was melancholy before saying goodbye. “I’m sure I’ll miss it more than I can imagine,” said Vettel after his last race.
Formula 1 then also bowed to one of its biggest stars. “It will be strange not to have him here next year,” said Alpine driver Fernando Alonso, who at 41 has been there for almost an eternity, and even initially gave Vettel the promised escort after the start in the Grand Prix. The Spaniard will take over the German’s car next season.
“Fantastic, outstanding, unique” was the triad of Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto about his former driver Vettel. On the joint class photo before the drivers’ parade, Vettel gave his colleagues high fives again, later they even stood in a trellis.
“There was so much love and compassion, it feels like everything I’ve given over the past few years is coming back,” Vettel said. “It’s a very special and emotional weekend. The years have been incredible.”
Hamilton and Sainz in a clinch
Then the red lights went out for the last time for Vettel. It was getting serious. Vettel also got off to a smooth start on lap one thanks to former title rival Alonso, who later had to retire due to a water leak. Pole man Verstappen stayed ahead of his teammate Perez. Leclerc attached himself to the heels of the two dominant Red Bulls.
Hamilton and Carlos Sainz in the Ferrari, on the other hand, both touched in turn six. The Englishman took the curb exit and took a shortcut. After an announcement by race officials, he gave his fourth place back to the Spaniard shortly afterwards to avoid a possible penalty.
Vettel’s complaint about pit radio: “Will be eaten up”
Meanwhile, Vettel was in a tough battle for position with Alonso’s Alpine stable rival Esteban Ocon. Mick Schumacher kept losing ground and temporarily fell back to 16th place.
While the top drivers around Perez gradually switched from medium to hard tires from lap 16, Vettel stayed outside. It was his chance again to fight against the leaders. Because his Aston Martin has been anything but great in the two years since he switched from Ferrari.
Vettel didn’t like the strategy at all. “That’s the worst thing, we’re being eaten up by the others. Who’s next?!” Vettel complained over the pit radio and described himself as “easy prey”. He came into the pits on lap 26 in ninth position and returned in 19th place with the hard rubber compound.
Verstappen and Perez continued to set the pace in front of the two Ferraris, while Vettel struggled at the back. “Why was our strategy so wrong,” said Vettel, when he was even pushed out of the points by teammate Lance Stroll shortly before the end. The German still got this one point to say goodbye.
Mick Schumacher also says goodbye
In his last appearance for Haas, Mick Schumacher, who will be replaced after two years as a regular driver, unnecessarily drove into Williams man Nicholas Latifi on lap 39 and spun off the track. The 23-year-old received a five-second penalty and in 16th place clearly missed the points again. After all, Mercedes is very interested in signing Schumacher as a replacement driver for 2023.
Hamilton for the first time without a win of the season in Formula 1
Record world champion Lewis Hamilton had to park his car in his 200th race for Mercedes due to hydraulic damage before the end of the race. This ended an impressive series: For the first time since he entered Formula 1 in 2007, the Brit ended a season without a win.
Source: sportschau.de