Motor racing images of the year 2022

It was the year that spectators finally returned to the grandstands and the racing didn’t disappoint. Here are our picks of the best moments captured on camera...

Formula 1 via Getty Images

January 5: Al Qaysumah, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia riders in the Dakar

Riders in the Dakar tackle the terrain of stage four – the longest test, at 289 miles

ASO/C Lopez

May 29: Monaco

Mick Schumacher crash Monaco GP

At a damp Monaco Grand Prix Mick Schumacher lost control of his Haas and hit the barrier. He walked away unscathed

Haas

November 13: Nürburgring, Germany

World RX Championship

In the World RX Championship, Johan Kristoffersson took eight wins from 10 (and yes, that’s a Delta on the left)

MICHAEL JURTIN

September 17: Goodwood, UK

Goodwood Grid start

A packed grid at a sun-soaked Goodwood Revival. Many drivers wore black armbands following the recent death of the Queen

Dominic James

July 3: Silverstone, UK

Zhou Guanyu Crash

Zhou Guanyu gave credit to the halo for saving his life at the British Grand Prix after flipping his Alfa at speed. His only injuries were a few bruises

DPPI

October 23: Sepang, Malaysia

Jack Miller and Marc Márquez

Ducati Lenovo’s Jack Miller, left, and Honda Repsol’s Marc Márquez in a ‘double dangle’ at the penultimate race on the MotoGP 2022 calendar

Honda

October 2: Marina Bay, Singapore

Lando Norris at the Singapore GP

McLaren’s Lando Norris lights up the night at the Singapore Grand Prix. He’d finish fourth in the race – his second-best placing of the season

Getty Images

July 3: Silverstone, UK

Sebastian Vettel and Nigel Mansell’s

Sebastian Vettel took the wheel of ‘Red 5’ before the British GP to mark the 30th anniversary of Nigel Mansell’s last Silverstone win

Getty Images

May 29: Indianapolis, US

A wrench for Scott Dixon

The Indy 500 proved a wrench for Chip Ganassi’s Scott Dixon, who led for 95 laps but a pitlane infringement led to a penalty (and yes, this is a tool from the Ganassi pit), removing him from contention

Getty Images

June 23-26: Kenya

Kalle Rovanperä in Toyota Yaris Rally1

WRC champion elect Kalle Rovanperä makes a rough landing in his Toyota Yaris Rally1 en route to victory on the Safari Rally – his fourth win in five outings

Toyota/McKlein

July 3: Le Mans, France

1991 Peugeot 905 Evo 1 Bis Group C beast

More than 200,000 were in attendance for the return of the Le Mans Classic, which featured some racing exotica, including this 1991 Peugeot 905 Evo 1 Bis Group C beast.

DPPI

September 11: Fuji, Japan

WEC, Peugeot Hypercar

In the WEC, Peugeot entered the Hypercar fray mid-season with its 9X8 but failed to reach the podium – its cars were fourth and fifth in Japan

DPPI

October 9: Suzuka, Japan

Lewis Hamilton Japanese GP

Lewis Hamilton failed to win a single Formula 1 race in 2022 – a first for him. It was here at the Japanese Grand Prix that Max Verstappen secured his second F1 world title with four races still to go

DPPI

September 18: Alcañiz, Spain

Francesco Bagnaia at the Aragon GP

MotoGP rider Francesco Bagnaia – down low at the Aragon GP – came back from 91 points behind reigning champ Fabio Quartararo to win the title by 17 points

Ducati

May 29: Indianapolis, US

Scott Dixon leads the Indy 500

Scott Dixon leads the Indy 500 and dominated much of the race, but it was his Chip Ganassi team-mate Marcus Ericsson who stole the show, becoming the second Swede to win the 500, following Kenny Bräck in 1999

Icon Sportswire via Getty Images