Max Verstappen takes 2022 pole position in Abu Dhabi; “Checo” Pérez will start second

The double world champion of 2021 and 2022, the Dutch Max Verstappen (Red Bull), achieved the last pole position of the Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi this Saturday, ahead of his teammate, the Mexican Sergio “Checo” Pérez.

Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), tied on points with Pérez in second position in the championship before the 22nd and final round, he will start from third place, ahead of his teammate, the Spanish Carlos Sainz.

Regarding the classification of builders, Ferrari holds a 19-point lead over Mercedes, which saw its drivers finish faster than the Silver Arrows.

In back of Leclerc, Sainz will leave ahead of Lewis Hamilton y George Russell.

in the circuit of Yas Marinathe same place of his controversial victory in 2021, Verstappen, whose title he captured long before this time, took the 20th pole position of his career and the sixth this year.

The current runner-up Hamilton he settled for fourth position, so he will finish the season without having managed to start from the first position on the grid, the first time since his debut in 2007.

The seven-time world champion could also end this season without having won a Grand Prix, which would also be a first.

“Checo” Pérez led the last free practice

The Mexican driver, who is looking for the second position in the Formula 1 world championship during this last Grand Prix in Abu Likeset the best time in the last free practice sessions before qualifying on Saturday.

“Checo” Pérez, on equal points with the Monegasque from Ferrari, Charles Leclercbefore the 22nd race, he beat his teammate and double world champion by 152 thousandths of a second Max Verstappen during the third and last free practice session in the circuit of Yas Marina.

Behind, the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton (+240 thousandths of a second) and George Russell (+413 thousandths of a second) marked the third and fourth times, confirming the improvement in form of the last few races. Last week in Brazil, Russell scored his first victory in F1 and the first for the Silver Arrows in 2022, ahead of his teammate.

In a promising season at the start for the Scuderia, it will now have to defend second place in the constructors’ championship threatened by Mercedes, 19 points behind.

The goodbye of some pilots

This last race of the year also means goodbye to several pilots. First of all, the German Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin), four-time world champion (2010-2013), retires.

the canadian Nicholas Latifi (Williams) and German Mick Schumacher (Haas) will not continue next year in their respective teams and they do not have a steering wheel for next season. It’s not guaranteed yet either. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren), although he could become a test driver at Red Bull, as announced on Friday by Helmut Marko, one of the leaders of the champion team on Friday on Sky Germany.

The Spanish Fernando Alonso will contest his last Grand Prix with Alpine before moving to Aston Martin for the 2023 season. His replacement will be Pierre Gasly, who will also say goodbye to AlphaTauri, his current team, at Yas Marina.

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