ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Two drivers are level on points ahead of the Formula One season finale in Abu Dhabi. This time it’s only for second place.
Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez are both on 290 points going into the final race Sunday at the Yas Marina circuit. It’s a subdued echo of last year’s title-deciding spectacularly between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who also arrived in Abu Dhabi on level terms before Verstappen took the title following a heavily disputed restart procedure.
Just like last year, there’s also an element of controversy. Verstappen refused to give up sixth place to his teammate Perez at the last race in Brazil despite a team order, a decision that could cost Perez in a close fight with Leclerc on Sunday.
Verstappen, who secured the title more than a month ago, has refused to say why he wouldn’t help Perez, only that it was “about something that happened earlier in the season.” He said Thursday the issue was resolved and he would offer support if the Red Bull team asks him to.
Verstappen, who is also able to take a 15th win of 2022 to extend his single-season record, condemned “unacceptable” social media abuse aimed at him and his family after the incident with Perez in Brazil.
Hamilton said Thursday he rarely thinks any more about last year’s controversial race in Abu Dhabi. This week, the British driver could lose one record from his illustrious career. Hamilton has won at least one race each year since his 2007 debut, but is without a victory in 2022 after Mercedes spent much of the season struggling with the car’s tendency to bounce at high speed. His best chance seems to have gone after finishing behind teammate George Russell in Brazil last week.
“We don’t believe that this track will necessarily be our strongest. We think it may suit the others a little bit better, but I won’t know till I get out there, to be honest,” he said.
Red Bull is the runaway constructors’ champion but Mercedes could in theory overtake Ferrari for second. For many other teams and drivers, it’s a low-stakes race. No one is driving to save their seat for 2023 because all of next season’s team pairings are confirmed with the exception of one Williams seat. That will go to US driver Logan Sargeant if he meets a minimum championship finish in Formula Two.
Verstappen set the fastest time of the day in the second practice session with 1 minute, 25.146 seconds, beating Russell into second place by 0.341 seconds. Leclerc was third-fastest, 0.453 off the pace, ahead of Hamilton and Perez.
Hamilton led the first practice session amid a host of unfamiliar names on track as eight of the 10 teams opted to put a reserve or development driver in one of their cars.
Verstappen, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Alpine’s Fernando Alonso all sat the session out. Sargeant placed 15th after spinning halfway through the session.
Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel is looking to the future ahead of his last race in F1 before retiring at the end of the season.
“There’s lots of other things in my head as well, other interests and ideas outside racing,” Vettel said. “Obviously I’ve done this for so long and it’s central to my life. So it would be difficult to say that I’m not going to miss it.”
Vettel leaves after 16 seasons in which he was the youngest-ever race winner in 2008 — a record now held by Max Verstappen — then enjoyed overwhelming dominance with Red Bull, failed title challenges with Ferrari, and two often-anonymous midfield seasons with Aston-Martin. Those quieter recent seasons “have been very important for me, one, for the driving, but maybe to have the room and possibility to grow even more off track,” he said.
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez of Mexico sits in his car during practice for thethe Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez of Mexico leaves the pit lane during practice for thethe Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain leaves the pit lane during practice for thethe Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain leaves the pit lane during practice for thethe Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Aston Martin F1 Team reacts in a press conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. The Emirates Formula One Grand Prix will take place on Sunday. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands in action during practice for thethe Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands enters his car during practice for thethe Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, of Monaco, sits inside his car as he prepares to start the first practice session for the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Hussein mala)
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco in action during practice for thethe Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
