Despite both world titles being wrapped up, the F1 paddock will arrive at the Yas Marina circuit fresh from a dramatic and controversial Brazilian round last weekend.
Mercedes broke its winless streak as George Russell took his maiden F1 victory in a 1-2 ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton clashed with rival Max Verstappen early in the Brazilian GP, while the world champion also hit the headlines for disobeying Red Bull team orders to let team-mate Sergio Perez overtake him on the last lap in order to aid the Mexican’s bid for the runner-up spot in the drivers’ world championship.
Elsewhere, Ferrari endured its latest round of frustrations and Alpine team-mates Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso clashed at Interlagos.
In Abu Dhabi, F1 will say goodbye to four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel who retires at the end of the season, while also saying farewell to Daniel Ricciardo and Nicholas Latifi who drop off the grid for 2023 – with Mick Schumacher’s future yet to be decided.
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB16B
Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images
What are the key points in F1 2022 to be decided at the Abu Dhabi GP?
In the F1 world drivers’ championship, Leclerc and Perez go into the final round tied on points in the battle for the runner-up spot in the standings, with the Ferrari driver ahead on wins countback.
Therefore, whoever finishes ahead will take the runner-up spot, unless both fail to score then Leclerc will keep second place due to his three wins this year against Perez’s two.
In the F1 world constructors’ championship, Ferrari and Mercedes are split by 19 points in the tussle for second place in the final standings. Behind them, Alpine and McLaren are also separated by 19 points in the fight for fourth place.
Further back, five points split Alfa Romeo in sixth and Aston Martin in seventh, while two points split Haas in eighth and AlphaTauri in ninth.
In regards to what needs to be decided for 2023, Logan Sargeant needs to finish sixth or higher in the FIA Formula 2 championship standings at the Abu Dhabi finale to secure a superlicence and confirm his place in the Williams driver line-up.
Haas is also due to announce who will partner Kevin Magnussen in its driver line-up for next season, with the call set to be between Mick Schumacher and Nico Hulkenberg.
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB18, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari F1-75
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Full 2022 Abu Dhabi GP session…
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