A final lap showdown, with a Red Bull closing in on a Ferrari, and two drivers level on points. It’s how the 2022 season threatened to be decided earlier this year. Instead, it was the perfect scenario but for the wrong place as the runner-up honours came down to the final three miles of the season.
It wasn’t the drama or controversy of last season, with Max Verstappen having long-since wrapped up his second championship, but it still was talked up by the main protagonists in the form of Sergio Perez – starting second behind his team-mate – and Charles Leclerc from third.
The opening lap was calm for the front three but Carlos Sainz was slow away from fourth, allowing the two Mercedes drivers behind to attack. Lewis Hamilton was through by Turn 1 but George Russell was baulked, losing momentum and seeing Lando Norris sweep by.
