What hurt Perez most in his ill-fated fight for second in Abu Dhabi
Arguably the favourite in the battle to finish second-best in 2022's Formula 1 standings, Sergio Perez's two-stop strategy at Abu Dhabi couldn't take him ahead of Charles Leclerc when the music stopped - and several key factors ultimately precluded him from the much-coveted runner-up spot.
On the day, just 1.3 seconds determined Charles Leclerc would classify as the 2022 Formula 1 runner-up. His three extra points for second over podium finisher Sergio Perez in Abu Dhabi last weekend ensured the Ferrari driver would split the Red Bulls.
Naturally, with sprint contests included, there were 24 previous races for one of Leclerc or Perez to put their stamp on the battle to bring up the rear to runaway champion Max Verstappen. Had the Scuderia not suffered its strategy and reliability shockers or if the fuel system aboard both RB18s didn’t pack up in Bahrain, it might not have gone down the wire. But since those sliding door moments do exist, it teed up a Yas Marina showdown.
Share Or Save This Story
Related video
Marko suggests Perez's improved F1 form because 2025 contract at stake
Russell explains how low-fuel runs expose Mercedes F1 inconsistency
Leclerc: No answer for "once in a season" Japan F1 qualifying struggle
Sainz: Now time to "speed up" talks to find 2025 F1 seat
Sargeant to race repaired F1 car in Suzuka; no spare Williams until Miami
Pirro leaves role as McLaren F1 academy chief
Wolff: Hamilton not 'looking over the fence' at Ferrari F1 form
The impatient pair who’d hoped to be a thorn in Red Bull’s side again
F1 chief Domenicali eyes more sprint weekends
IndyCar Barber: Start times, how to watch on TV, entry list & more
Jaguar commits to Formula E until 2030
Crutchlow to get three MotoGP wildcards in 2024 with Yamaha
The F1 hero-to-zero dividing line that has never been so thin
How Stroll and Magnussen revealed the scale of F1’s racing and rules problems
Did F1's new sprint format work?
Chinese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2024
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
