Verstappen Puts Fair Play First: No Intent to Impede Leclerc for Perez’s Championship Bid

The exhilarating conclusion of the 2022 Formula 1 season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw a thrilling battle for the runner-up position in the Drivers’ Championship. While Max Verstappen dominated the race, securing another victory, the spotlight shone brightly on the intense duel between Charles Leclerc of Ferrari and Sergio Perez of Red Bull for second place overall. In a post-race revelation, Verstappen confirmed that he would not have compromised the integrity of the racing to assist his teammate, Perez, in catching Leclerc, emphasizing his commitment to fair competition.

Leclerc, piloting his Ferrari with masterful precision, finished a commendable second behind the dominant Verstappen, securing the crucial points needed to clinch second place in the championship standings, just ahead of Perez. This outcome marked a significant achievement for both Leclerc and Ferrari, rounding off a season that saw them battle intensely at the front of the grid.

The Final Laps: A Tense Chase and Verstappen’s Principle

As the final laps unfolded at Yas Marina, the tension was palpable. Perez was rapidly closing the gap on Leclerc, who was running in second. Despite the narrowing margin, the Mexican driver ultimately crossed the finish line 1.3 seconds behind the Ferrari, falling short of snatching second place in the championship. Verstappen, who had already secured his second world title, confirmed that there was no instruction from the Red Bull pit wall to slow down and create an obstacle for Leclerc, thereby helping Perez.

“That is quite a tricky call to make,” Verstappen reflected on the hypothetical situation. “You also don’t want to end up… of course you can possibly block. But I mean, is that fair racing? I think it’s not the nicest way going out of the season like that.” Verstappen’s statement underscored a philosophy that prioritizes the spirit of competition, even when significant team objectives are at stake. His refusal to engage in tactics that could be perceived as unsporting resonated with many, reinforcing his reputation as a racer who values genuine on-track battles.

The reigning world champion further elaborated on the dynamics of the final stages, pointing out a critical moment that hindered Perez’s pursuit. While Perez was on fresher tyres and appeared to be gaining momentum, a complex traffic situation involving backmarkers significantly impacted his progress. “It looked like Checo was catching him enough to try and actually get a move. But then he lost quite a bit of time with that bit of a fuss between Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon. He lost quite a bit of time with that, because I was watching that on the screens.” This incident highlights how unforeseen race circumstances, even with seemingly minor factors like lapped cars, can critically influence the outcome of a high-stakes championship battle.

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Strategic Debates and Hindsight: The Middle Stint Analysis

Beyond the final lap drama, the post-race analysis delved deep into the strategic decisions that unfolded throughout the Grand Prix. Verstappen himself suggested that Perez’s best opportunity to secure second place might have been earlier in the race, by pushing harder during his second stint. However, he acknowledged the team’s perspective at the time, which favored a more cautious approach to tyre management.

“That second stint, because the deg [degradation] was quite high on the medium, in hindsight, probably as a team, we could have pushed a bit more on that middle stint for Checo,” Verstappen admitted. “But that’s always easy to say afterwards. At the time we thought that we had to be a little bit careful on the tyres. We’ve had a lot of great weekends but even in great weekends there are always things that you can learn.” This candid reflection from the champion underscores the complex nature of Formula 1 strategy, where real-time decisions under pressure can have profound implications, and lessons are continuously drawn, even from successful outcomes.

Perez largely concurred with this assessment, recognizing the missed opportunity. “We thought that the deg[radation] was going to be higher than it was and we just didn’t push as much as we should have pushed in that second stint and probably we left two seconds on the table there,” he stated. This “two seconds” could have been the crucial difference in catching Leclerc, highlighting the razor-thin margins that define success and failure in Formula 1 racing.

The Mexican driver also revealed another factor that compromised his pace during his second stint: being behind Verstappen, who was on a different strategy. At one point, Perez found himself approximately two seconds behind his teammate. While this might seem insignificant, being in the wake of another car, especially on a different race plan, can affect aero performance and tire temperatures. Additionally, Perez acknowledged that pitting six laps earlier than Leclerc at the end of his first stint also played a role in the unfolding strategic chess match.

Acknowledging Ferrari’s Strength and Lessons for the Future

Despite the disappointment of losing out on second in the championship, Perez was quick to credit his competitor. “Today I think Ferrari and Charles did a fantastic race,” he graciously admitted. “They have great tyre management and they were stronger than us, especially in that first stint I died towards the end and that made it a little bit tricky, our strategy.” This acknowledgment underscores Ferrari’s competitive edge in managing tire degradation, a critical factor in the high-wear Abu Dhabi circuit.

Reflecting further on his own race, Perez added, “Just that second stint when I was behind Max, Max was on a one-stop, I was on a two-stop. And then I ended up not being able to maximise the stint. And I couldn’t push as much as we should have pushed on that second stint. But at the end of the day we gave it all and that’s what really matters.” This statement captures the essence of a driver giving his maximum effort, even when strategic nuances or unforeseen circumstances prevent a perfect outcome. It also highlights the complexities of managing two drivers on different strategies within the same team during a critical race moment.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix served as a potent reminder of the myriad factors that coalesce to determine a race and championship outcome – from raw pace and strategic foresight to tire management, track position, and even the ethics of team orders. Max Verstappen’s firm stance on fair play, combined with the detailed self-analysis from Red Bull and Sergio Perez, offers valuable insights into the high-pressure world of Formula 1, where every decision, however small, can tip the balance.

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More from the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

• Norris dissatisfied with solitary podium finish: “One isn’t enough”
• Verstappen achieves most dominant title win since Vettel in 2013
• Magnussen’s experience makes him ‘positive’ ousted Schumacher can return to F1
• Overtaking still difficult at Yas Marina despite 2021 track changes, say drivers
• Depressing to consider points lost says Gasly after AlphaTauri slump to ninth

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