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makeagif · 1 year ago

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Charles Leclerc during the 2022 FIA Prize Giving ceremony at Bologna Fiere, on December 9, 2022 in Bologna, Italy.

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paddockanalysis · 24 days ago

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🏆 2022 - Total Domination

Main post! 2020 2021 2023 2024

The 2022 Formula 1 season marked a new era, with a major overhaul of technical regulations aimed at promoting closer racing. This reset the playing field, offering teams a fresh opportunity to innovate. Red Bull Racing, led by Adrian Newey, rose to the challenge, producing the formidable RB18. Coupled with Max Verstappen’s flawless driving, this season became a showcase of dominance.

The RB18: A Technical Masterpiece

The RB18 exemplified a well-rounded approach to the new regulations. Red Bull’s design prioritized aerodynamic efficiency and straight-line speed, leveraging ground effect to its fullest potential. While Ferrari initially appeared to match Red Bull’s pace with their F1-75, the RB18’s superior tire management and adaptability across a variety of circuits gave Verstappen a decisive edge.

Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Pérez, had a strong start to the season, including a victory in Monaco. However, as the car's development evolved to suit Verstappen’s driving style—favoring a sharper front end and a more oversteer-prone setup—Pérez’s competitiveness waned. By mid-season, Verstappen consistently outperformed his teammate, securing Red Bull’s position at the top of both championships.

A Rocky Start and Turning Point

Verstappen’s season began with challenges. Retirements in Bahrain (fuel pump issue) and Australia (fuel system failure) put him on the back foot while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc surged ahead. However, the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola marked a critical turning point. Verstappen’s Grand Slam (pole, sprint win, fastest lap, and race victory) underscored Red Bull’s growing superiority. This performance set the tone for the remainder of the season.

Key Races: Moments of Dominance

Spanish GP: Verstappen’s resilience was on display as he overcame early issues, including a trip into the gravel and DRS failures, to secure victory. Red Bull’s superior strategy and teamwork helped Verstappen capitalize on Ferrari’s errors, including Leclerc’s untimely engine failure.

Belgian GP: Starting 14th due to power unit penalties, Verstappen delivered one of the most dominant performances of the modern era. He scythed through the field with remarkable efficiency, taking the lead by Lap 12 and winning by over 17 seconds. This race highlighted not only the RB18’s straight-line speed but Verstappen’s ability to extract maximum performance in any scenario.

Japanese GP: In chaotic, rain-soaked conditions, Verstappen claimed victory and sealed the championship with four races to spare. His mastery of wet-weather racing and the RB18’s balance shone through, while Ferrari struggled with operational missteps.

Championship Sealed in Japan

Verstappen clinched his second World Championship at Suzuka under controversial and chaotic circumstances. The race, shortened by torrential rain, was initially unclear in awarding full points. However, a stellar performance by Verstappen—dominating the event despite the challenging conditions—left no doubt about his superiority.

Comparison with Ferrari and Mercedes

Ferrari: Initially the only team capable of challenging Red Bull, Ferrari’s title bid was undone by reliability issues (e.g., power unit failures in Baku and Spain), driver errors, and questionable strategic calls. Charles Leclerc, while often fast in qualifying, struggled to maintain consistency over the race distance, particularly against Verstappen’s superior tire management.

Mercedes: The W13 was plagued by porpoising early in the season, leaving them unable to challenge consistently. Despite significant progress by the season’s end, exemplified by George Russell’s win in Brazil, Mercedes were not in contention for most of the year.

Teammate Comparison: Verstappen vs. Pérez

While Sergio Pérez played a crucial role in Red Bull’s Constructors’ Championship, his performance paled in comparison to Verstappen’s. Pérez excelled in street circuits (e.g., Monaco win) and defensive driving (notably in Abu Dhabi 2021), but his pace and consistency diminished as Red Bull tailored the RB18’s development toward Verstappen’s preferences. Verstappen ended the season with 15 wins compared to Pérez’s 2, a stark indicator of the gap between the two drivers.

Why Verstappen Excelled

Technical Prowess of the RB18: The car excelled across diverse circuits, from the high-speed straights of Monza to the tight corners of Monaco.

Driver Adaptability: Verstappen adjusted to the ground-effect regulations and developed a driving style that maximised the RB18’s potential.

Tire Management: The car’s efficiency allowed Verstappen to push when needed while preserving tires in key stints.

Strategic Excellence: Red Bull's pit wall consistently outmanoeuvred competitors, ensuring Verstappen was always in a position to maximize points.

Legacy of the 2022 Season

By the season’s end, Verstappen had shattered records, including the most wins in a single season (15)—breaking the previous record held by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel—and the most points scored (454). This year was defined less by head-to-head battles and more by an exhibition of excellence. Verstappen and Red Bull operated in near-perfect harmony, leaving rivals far behind and setting a new benchmark for dominance in modern Formula 1.

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