Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: The Final News and Notes From the World Of Formula 1 in 2022

So, we’ve come to the end of the road, and I can’t let go. Bonus points if you started humming the melody before the sentence ended. Along with our news and preview of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, we’re going to dim the lights, put on some 90s r&b, and get into our feelings as we say goodbye to the 2022 season and one of the greatest drivers of all time.

We’ve come to the end of the road for the 2022 Formula 1 season and the season finale staple: the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit. After undergoing a modification last season – removing a chicane that made up turns four and five and replacing it with an extended straight and a banked corner – the Yas Marina Circuit is quicker, and the racing will be more exciting with the 2022 cars on track than many Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from history.

Let’s get into the news from the final race of the Formula 1 season without further ado.

Williams is in the Spotlight at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Yes, we’re starting our final piece about the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with Formula 1’s current ultimate backmarker, Williams.

American Logan Sargeant is set to take the final seat on the grid for 2023 after Haas confirmed that current Aston Martin Reserve driver Nico Hülkenburg will replace Mick Schumacher in 2023. However, Sargeant IS the driver to watch at Yas Marina.

That’s right, the driver with the most focus on him during a Formula 1 weekend will be a driver in Formula 2. Why? Sargeant needs a flawless weekend to have enough super license points to qualify for the seat. As of publication, Sargeant needs a strong-enough finish in the F2 race at Yas Marina to earn the super license points he needs to be on the grid in 2023.

If Sargeant has another DNF, Williams is expected to sign potential Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher to partner Alex Albon in 2023.

All of the drivers who are leaving their teams for new seats on the grid, or leaving Formula 1 altogether, will be driving with nothing to lose. Although, we would look further than Pierre Gasly or Fernando Alonso for a potential points finish.

So, Let’s Talk About Mercedes

Let’s cut to the chase: Mercedes is back, and I told you George Russell was going to finish in the top six again!

Russell’s first career Grand Prix win at the São Paulo Grand Prix was the eighteenth time in twenty-one races that Russell has finished in the top six. If you aren’t picking Russell to finish in the top six at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, we’re not sure that Mercedes’ recent pace convinces you they’re back.

Rest assured, Mercedes is back. Take the free win with Russell finishing in the top six because the W-13 is good enough to capitalize when Red Bull struggle with tires or set-up issues. The W-13 is fast enough to compete with and overtake Ferrari wheel-to-wheel, which speaks to how far the W-13 has come. Mercedes’ have systematically worked through its problems, figuring out and maximizing its flawed car concept.

The São Paulo Grand Prix was the third Grand Prix in a row where Mercedes presented evidence to say they are back in the fight and we’ll have a three-team race for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix win. The W-13 still bounces too much, but it’s lighter and less draggy, making it significantly quicker with a higher straight-line speed.

Mercedes to land both cars in the points is lock, while you might want to consider the lines on both Mercedes to finish on the podium considering their run of form recently.

Let’s Talk About Feelings

After you my friend, we’ll leave the light on. It’s going to be an emotional night in Abu Dhabi.

Sports are powerful and create emotional connections between everyone involved. Some people fall deeper into an emotional bond than others. And sometimes, long-time rivals on the track share an emotional bond too.

I’ve written about it elsewhere before, but we’re officially saying goodbye to Super Seb this weekend at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Sebastian Vettel is the driver that kept me interested in Formula 1 when he arrived on the scene and battled my favorite driver of all time, Fernando Alonso. These two drivers kept me involved and interested in the sport, fighting for World Championships at a time when anything else could have quickly taken my attention away and when Formula 1 was significantly harder to follow and watch.

And, while we’ve come to the end of the road, unlike Boyz II Men, we have to let go and join Alonso in saying, Danke, Seb!

‘Danke Seb, One last time sharing the track with you, it will be emotional and sad at the same time, but I wish you all the best for your next chapter’ – Fernando Alonso

Cool! 🥺 pic.twitter.com/v1V9jsLhQJ

— The Race (@wearetherace) November 17, 2022

You might not be crying, but I am, just a little. That’s a touching tribute from one multi-time world champion to another. Fans and the paddock alike will dearly miss Sebastian Vettel. Formula 1 could use a few more Vettels on the grid.

Expect Aston Martin to give Seb the best AMR-22 possible and Sebastian Vettel to score the final points of his legendary Formula 1 career.

And with that, we bid you adieu. Adios, Formula 1 fans, and USAWager readers! It’s been my distinct joy to cover the 2022 Formula 1 Season. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know that testing for the 2023 Formula 1 season is set for February 23-25th, and I’ll be paying close attention.

Hopefully, we will meet again in the future. However, we have one more qualifying session and race in 2022 to sit back and enjoy. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix takes place from the Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday, November 20th.

P.S. The image has a clue as to who we’re favoring to win the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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