On the whole, 2022 was a pretty good year for Formula 1. New regulations and new cars helped bring about closer racing up and down the grid. Well, except at the front where Max Verstappen seemed to stake his claim pretty early on.
But, despite a dominant championship win for the Dutch driver, there were some good moments of action over the year. To find out some of the highlights, we turned to you.Here are some of the best moments of the 2022 F1 season, according to you.
“Magnussen’s out of left field return to the grid after saying he wouldn’t return. Then his first drive back he plants a Haas in 5th place.
“The Interlagos pole was perfect. Did you see his reaction?! Did you not get goosebumps of joy for him in that equipment? It was honestly the perfect way to cap his season and show that he deserved to never leave and there is still plenty of fight left in him.”
Kevin Magnussen’s return to Formula 1 and the Haas team seemed impossible this time last year. But just look at the year he’s had, it’s been great.
Suggested by: r-p-em
“George Russell winning his first race at the Brazilian GP. I’m happy to see him in a competitive car and able to realize his true potential.”
After coming so close to the win back in 2020 when he stepped in for Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain, Mercedes driver George Russell finally got to taste the winner’s sparkling wine in Brazil. It was glorious.
Suggested by: regnis78
“As a singular moment, Lewis passing both Checo and Leclerc at the final turn of Silverstone to the sound of Crofty’s ‘THROUGH GOES HAMILTON’ exclamation and the roar of the British crowd is hard to beat.”
This moment is etched on my brain for eternity.
Suggested by: gokieks
“When Alonso finger wagged Yuki at Austria.”
A wagged finger by Fernando Alonso is almost as intimidating as one of Paddington Bear’s hard stares.
Suggested by: @rsvaughnUA (Twitter)
“Probably the battle between Verstappen and Leclerc in Jeddah or qualifying and the sprint in Brazil.”
Remember back at the start of the year when Ferrari posed a real threat, that was fun.
Suggested by: 66671
“Mercedes slowly clawing themselves back into contention for a win, and seeing George get it.
“Also...Verstappen not winning/earning a deserved penalty/showing his true petty and childish nature to the world and getting trolled by the internet for it.”
At the start of 2022, Mercedes had a slow, bumpy car that looked miles off rivals Red Bull and Ferrari. Slowly but surely, the team improved and developed the car until, in Brazil, George Russell picked up his first win in F1.
Suggested by:pjc-mashtun
“Seeing Verstappen expose his own awfulness at Brazil on track, on the radio and in interviews since.”
In Brazil, Max Verstappen was asked to let his team mate Sergio Perez pass so that he could edge ahead in the driver’s standings. He refused, and seemingly all hell broke loose in the F1 Twitter world.
Suggested by: Michael Gray (Facebook)
“Ferrari’s Implosion. The memes have been fantastic.”
In the first few races of the year, it genuinely felt like Ferrari might have had this one in the bag. Sadly, race by race, we all realized that this probably wasn’t the case.
Suggested by: wasgtithengtothennovathengtinowa4
“K Mag scoring a pole. I love a good underdog story. I root for haas as much as possible. I don’t know why but I do.”
If you didn’t well up seeing Haas driver Kevin Magnussen’s delight at claiming pole position in Brazil earlier this month then I’m afraid to say that you’re dead inside.
Suggested by: hotsauceisthebest
“Quite a few contenders. Leclerc not backing down to Verstappen in Bahrain and Saudi-Arabia was awesome. The realization that Mercedes were in trouble. The return of Suzuka. De Vries scoring points on debut...
“Ultimately, my moment is Charles Leclerc’s final 2 laps in Spa. Pitting for fresh tires to go for the fastest lap; then losing position due to a speeding penalty while also not getting the fastest lap is the ultimate representation of the season both Ferrari and Leclerc have had. Much promise, atrocious execution.”
You’re right, Turbo Turtle, there have been a few good moments this year. In Spa, a sixth place finish for the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc might not sound like much, but the way he got there was mighty impressive after starting the race in 15th due to an engine change.
Suggested by: turbo-turtle
“I liked the part where Hamilton didn’t win a race, and Mercedes didn’t get the constructor’s title.”
There’s no denying that it’s been a struggle for Mercedes and its drivers this year. Despite a win for George Russell, this marks the first year in team mate Lewis Hamilton’s 15-year F1 career that he hasn’t picked up a race win.
Suggested by: cdoggyd
“The end of it.”
Just 94 days until the whole circus kicks off again.
Suggested by: Frank Barrett (Facebook)