F1 Post-Race Analysis: Japan 2022 — Don’t Stop Me Now
Max Verstappen is your 2022 world champion. The news may have been a surprise, but the result was anything but. Verstappen’s performance in Suzuka served as a metaphor for his performance all season — dominant. Despite a shortened race due to disruption from heavy rainfall, Verstappen stretched one of the largest winning margins of the 2022 season. The Dutchman was in a league of his own, but what made for such a performance? Let’s jump straight into it.
Dominance that Echoed the Season that was
Chart 1: Race Story — Cumulative Delta Plot
Verstappen lined up in pole position joined alongside by Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari. The lights went out and it was Leclerc that had the early advantage with the better start as Verstappen got bogged down by wheelspin. It looked as if Leclerc had the move done and dusted but Verstappen hung it around the outside of turns 1 and 2, taking the karting line on the outside that fared with better grip in the slippery conditions. Verstappen was able to retain his lead going into the esses before starting to stretch out a lead around the rest of the Suzuka circuit.
