How Leclerc can deny Perez Red Bull F1 history
Unlike 2021, it's been pretty clear where the Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship would be heading in 2022.
Max Verstappen has been in a class of one this season, breaking records for most wins and most points in a single season (14 and 429 and counting for those keeping score.)
Attention has thus turned onto who will finish as runner-up: Verstappen's teammate Sergio Perez or Charles Leclerc of Ferrari.
It will go down to the final race with nothing separating the two - and only 0.040s advantage in Perez's favour in qualifying at Yas Marina as they line up second and third.
Should Perez claim it, he will secure Red Bull's first ever one-two in the Drivers', which is just about the only thing they haven't achieved in F1.
Below is how P2 in the standings will be won - or indeed lost.
Runner-up in the standings
Heading into the finale in Abu Dhabi, Leclerc and Perez are locked level on 290 points apiece.
As it stands, Leclerc is ahead by virtue of most wins - three to two.
Essentially, it is a replay of the 2021 title decider between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton - in that whoever finishes ahead will claim the position in the standings.
Should Perez finish ahead of Leclerc, second place is his and vice versa if Leclerc sees the flag before Perez.
In the scenario that one finishes ninth and the other 10th with the fastest lap bonus point, Leclerc will still finish ahead as he would have that extra Grand Prix win that is used to separate drivers when they are tied on points.
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Standings ahead of Abu Dhabi
| Driver | Points |
|---|---|
| Max Verstappen | 429 |
| Charles Leclerc | 290 |
| Sergio Perez | 290 |
| George Russell | 265 |
| Lewis Hamilton | 240 |
| Carlos Sainz Jr | 234 |
What about Russell
There is an outside chance of George Russell sneaking in and claiming second place in the standings - although this is unlikely.
For this to happen, Russell needs to win and claim fastest lap bonus point and hope both Leclerc and Perez fail to finish.
Elsewhere, Hamilton needs to finish within six points of Carlos Sainz Jr in the second Ferrari to avoid his worst ever finish in the standings.
He has finished fifth twice - in 2009 and 2011 and has never been outside the top five in his career.
In the fight for second in the Constructors', Ferrari hold a 19 point advantage over Mercedes, meaning a one-two for the eight-time champions plus fastest lap (44 points) would not be enough if Ferrari took a three-four (27 points).
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