F1 News: What You Need To Know Ahead Of The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has kicked off today with the first two practice sessions.
In preparation, we have put together everything you need to catch up on before the Grand Prix on Sunday. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will see the 2022 season to a close and although Max Verstappen has already won the driver's championship, we are set to see the battle between Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Red Bull's Sergio Perez for second continue.
Red Bull have already won the constructor's championship with Ferrari and Mercedes doing all they can this weekend to get second place.
The Abu Dhabi GP is significant for many people due to the nature of last years controversial end to the season. Let's hope for a less dramatic race this time around.
Max Verstappen Refuses To Follow Red Bull Team Orders At Brazil GP
The biggest news from this week leading up to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is Max Verstappen refusing to follow team orders at the Brazilian GP last weekend. The Red Bull team had instructed Sergio Perez to let Verstappen past towards the end of the race in order to try and take some points away from Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc, but this was under the proviso that he gives the place back to Perez before the end to help him with his battle to get second place in the championship.
In the last lap, we heard Verstappen being told on his team radio to let Perez back through which the Belgian-Dutch driver was not happy about. He refused to do it and told the team to not ask him to do that again and that they knew his reasons.
The Red Bull team claim they are confident going into the Abu Dhabi GP that everyone will be working as a team to help Perez.
Source: F1Briefings
Red Bull question Mercedes involvement in financial leaks
After the cost cap saga with Red Bull, they have indicated that they are hiring new accountants. Red Bull advisor, Helmut Marko, explained:
"It's strange. A Mercedes employee switched to the FIA, processed these documents for the cost cap at Mercedes and was then responsible for checking at the FIA.
"In our opinion, there is definitely a compliance violation or at least an indication of compliance violation.
"The whole thing doesn't make a good impression... We hire accountants to have the necessary security here."
Source: F1FAll
Lewis Hamilton expects to see rival return to F1 after retirement
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is a sad moment for Sebastian Vettel fans as it is his last race before his retirement from the sport.
Speaking ahead of the race, Vettel's long-time rival and close friend Lewis Hamilton has said that he thinks Vettel will be returning to the sport. Hamilton said:
"We always had such great battles. I was just sitting here thinking most drivers are coming back. You're probably going to come back. You'll be back. Formula 1 has a way of sucking you back in.
"I don't think it's 'a goodbye show', it's 'see you later', because he'll come back. I'm going to put my money on that he's going to come back, just take a sabbatical, like one year, maybe two years maximum, and then come back."
Source: Sky Sports
Mercedes set to lose major sponsor as crypto partner goes bankrupt
Mercedes seem close to losing one of its sponsors, crypto partner FTX as the company has now filed for bankruptcy.
It doesn't seem likely that this will affect Mercedes too much but losing a sponsor will be an inconvenience to the team and will take a sponsorship payment away.
Source: F1Briefings
Schumacher and Haas to part ways at the end of 2022
Haas announced earlier this week that they would not be extending Mick Schumacher's contract beyond this year, so the Abu Dhabi GP will be his last with the team.
Schumacher has not secured another seat for the 2023 season but there are rumours of him being in talks with Mercedes for a reserve driver role.
Source: Formula 1