If last year the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was decisive for assigning the two Formula 1 world titles, for the Drivers and Constructors championships, this time the final race of the season, at Yas Marina, will determine the second place in both classifications.
Last weekend at the Interlagos circuit in Brazil, there was above all talk of the duel between the drivers, with Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez who both tried, unsuccessfully, to get help from their respective teammate in the challenge that now sees them paired at 290 points in the standings with just one race to go. From a financial point of view, however, the most interesting battle is the one between Scuderia Ferrari and Mercedes for the second step of the podium in the Constructors’ standings. The Maranello team has been ahead of its Anglo-German rivals all year and it would be a shame to be overtaken in the final race.
In Brazil, however, the W13 showed impressive speed, which places it as a legitimate favorite to win at Yas Marina. If the Silver Arrows really were to earn their second consecutive victory on the track, perhaps even repeating the one-two finish at Interlagos, paradoxically they will have to hope for the help of arch-rivals Red Bull to be able to pass Ferrari right at the finish line.
In fact, the two teams arrive at the end of the 2022 Formula 1 season separated by 19 points in favor of the Italian side. In the event of a tie, the Italian team would prevail, already certain of secured home more victories in the season than Mercedes. Therefore, even in the event of a Lewis Hamilton and George Russell’s 1-2 again and even with the addition of the fastest lap, it would still be ‘enough’ for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz to finish the race in third and fifth position to guarantee Ferrari the silver medal.
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If, on the other hand, Mercedes fails to score a one-two, the situation would become very complicated for Toto Wolff’s side. In fact, with a first and third place finish for the Mercedes team, a fourth and fifth place would be enough for the Ferrari drivers, even if the one between Hamilton and Russell also takes the additional point for the fastest lap. From these quick calculations it is clear that the performance of Red Bull will tip the balance, with the Austrian side expected to be back fighting at the top after the difficult weekend in Brazil, despite being affected by the internal tensions between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
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