By Matt Morlidge at Yas Marina
Last Updated: 20/11/22 2:44pm
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In a move eerily similar to the reverse of this last year, Hamilton holds up Perez in the final race of the season.
Max Verstappen claimed a dominant Abu Dhabi GP victory to sign off his glittering 2022 title-winning season in style, though Charles Leclerc denied Red Bull a perfect finale by holding off Sergio Perez for second place in the race, and the championship.
A record-extending 15th win of a 22-race season never looked in danger for Verstappen after he held off his team-mate into Turn 1 from pole, although the battle for second place was absorbing and went right down to the final laps.
Leclerc and Perez came into the final race locked on points and the Ferrari was the big underdog behind the Red Bulls, although a two-stopping Perez could not catch Leclerc, who like Verstappen was one-stopping, in time.
Red Bull therefore did not take the first one-two in the championship in their history, though Verstappen setting a new benchmark for the most wins in an F1 season is more-than-welcome solace.
Carlos Sainz was fourth in the other Ferrari, with Mercedes struggling in the last race of a difficult campaign.
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Lewis Hamilton is forced to retire from the Abu Dhabi GP with hydraulic issue!
Lewis Hamilton was running just ahead of a charging Sainz on the penultimate lap before suffering a hydraulic issue; Mercedes’ first mechanical failure of the season.
George Russell did finish the race, in fifth, after having to serve a five-second penalty for an unsafe release in the pits.
More to follow.