Formula 1: 3 things to watch for as the season winds down
3 things to watch before 2022 ends: No. 3 – Familiar faces leaving
The conclusion of the 2022 Formula 1 season will see some of the most iconic faces exit the sport. Sebastian Vettel, a four-time world champion and current Aston Martin driver, announced his retirement in a lengthy Instagram post back in late July.
The checkered flag in Abu Dhabi will close the door on one of the most legendary careers in Formula 1, spanning over 15 years with 53 race wins.
Additionally, McLaren driver and fan-favorite Daniel Ricciardo could also see his final Formula 1 race take place in Abu Dhabi, at least for this year. The 33-year-old Australian lost his seat to speedy youngster Oscar Piastri in one of the most dramatic storylines of the season.
Despite rumors of a potential return to Alpine, talks between the French team and Ricciardo failed to materialize, and Alpine recently declared that Pierre Gasly will fill the vacant seat.
Despite becoming McLaren’s first race winner since Jenson Button in 2012, Ricciardo has largely failed to live up to the expectations of Zak Brown when he signed with the team ahead of last season.
He currently sits in 12th place in the driver standings after finishing in eighth in 2021, and he has struggled to stay competitive in races and qualifying. While a future return to Formula 1 isn’t out of the picture for Ricciardo, it is now certain that he won’t be a starter on the grid next year.
It was announced during qualifying for the United States Grand Prix that Ricciardo will be a reserve driver next season, and that the role would likely be with Red Bull. Rumors swirled of a potential role with Mercedes, but he now seems to be heading back to his former team.
And of course, we can’t forget about Goatifi, the moniker given to Williams’ Nicholas Latifi. Latifi’s stay in Formula 1 has been largely forgettable, and his three-year tenure will perhaps be best remembered for his crash in Abu Dhabi last year, leading to one of the most controversial season endings in the sport’s history.
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Latifi is set to be replaced by current Formula 2 driver Logan Sargeant, making him the first American to race in Formula 1 since Alexander Rossi in 2015. Latifi’s racing career doesn’t appear to be over yet, as rumors have suggested that he would be moving to IndyCar next year. Latifi has yet to confirm or deny those rumors.