French Grand Prix 2022

It was yet another spectacular victory for the Dutch Formula 1 superstar Max Verstappen as he cruised to the winning position in the 2022 French Grand Prix. Despite some fierce and intelligent competition from his nearest rivals in the sport, Max was able to withstand all comers and take first place. While the Dutchman seems to be on a winning streak the same can't be said for his Ferarri driving rival Charles Leclerc. The Frenchman was lucky to walk away unhurt from a high-speed crash on turn 11 of the course. While the Dutchman seems to be on a winning streak the same can't be said for his Ferarri driving rival Charles Leclerc. The Frenchman was lucky to walk away unhurt from a high-speed crash on turn 11 of the course.

Leclerc Crashes Out

Leclerc made it to lap 18 before losing control of his vehicle and his frustration could be heard loud and clear on the team radio as he went off the track. This is the third time in this season alone that he has been unable to complete a race and his run of bad luck seems to continue. What is bad for Ferrari, however, is good for Red Bull and their frontman Verstappen who now holds a 63-point gap over the luckless Frenchman. Always a true sportsman, he made sure to check in with his crew to ensure his rival was unhurt, but then went on to cement his victory with some very respectable times.

Overheating Tyres

 

With the current heat wave in France, track and tire management were key concerns and this may have played a role in Leclerc's loss of control. "Unlucky for Charles,” Verstappen was quoted, “I hope he is OK, but I just did my race and looked after the tires.” In contrast to Ferarri, the Mercedes team with Russell and Hamilton had a much better day and secured 2nd and 3rd place behind Verstappen. Despite the prizes, Hamilton will no doubt be unsatisfied and looking to find the top spot again soon.

Leclerc and Sainz Win the Tests

In the test races just two days earlier Leclerc and Sainz finished with the top time in the first and second races respectively, leaving Verstappen in third place each time. It may have seemed that Leclerc's fortunes were changing with such promising performances but unfortunately, it was not to be. Leclerc started well and was building a convincing lead over his Red Bull rival, but it was in lap 18 that the French man lost control of the back wheels and his speed on turn 11 combined with the heat of the track and tires combined to send him into a spin from which he could not recover.

Racing Stats

Overall it was a pretty great day in Formula 1 and here are some of the stats produced by the day in racing. Max Verstappen now joins the great Sir Jackie Stewart with a grand total of 27 first-place wins. This ties him in 7th place with the British great in the list of all-time winners. Max also led the 1,500th lap of his racing career in this Grand Prix being only the 13th F1 driver to ever reach that total. Carlos Sainz drove the fastest lap of the race and despite beginning in 19th place managed to finish 5th. Lewis Hamilton finished 2nd in Grand Prix for the 49th time and this was his 300th Grand Prix race. He also delivered Mercedes their first top two podium positions of the year after a run of 7 3rd position finishes in 2022.

Driver of the day

Despite the upsets and frustration overall for the Ferarri team, there was some consolation for Carlos Sainz who was voted driver of the day. His starting placement at the back row due to engine penalties meant that he had a mountain to climb from the beginning and he certainly rose to the challenge. His skilled efforts to navigate through the pack and eventually finish in the number five spot was a real testimony to the Spaniard's ability and determination. 

Farewell Paddy Hopkirk

In sadder news, just a few days before Sunday's events, Paddy Hopkirk, Northern Ireland's driving legend passed away at the age of 89. The Irishman was well-known for his 1964 win at the Monte Carlo Rally. The racing great died peacefully surrounded by family at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire and is survived by his wife, three children, and six grandchildren. Hopkirk is one of the most successful drivers to come out of Northern Ireland with a string of wins to his name. 

Seeing another competitor in trouble from a head-on collision, he gave up a potential winning spot in the latter stages of the race to help a fellow driver in need. Paddy and his teammate Tony Nash bravely pulled out the occupants of both vehicles risking life and limb as the cars already began to go up in flames. Hopkirk and Nash then drove back to warn the crowd and other drivers of the situation potentially saving more lives in addition to that of the badly injured rally driver Lucien Bianchi. Wherever you are now Mr. Hopkirk, we salute you and thank you for all the great races, and your exemplary behavior both on and off the track.