Introduction

Race four of the 2022 Formula 1 season takes place at Imola. Where it’s Ferrari’s home track for one of the two races this season. With the championship battle being in the eyes of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. Leclerc showed muscle over Max Verstappen two weeks ago at Australia where Max ran into problems late in the race and Charles getting the upper hand and winning the race. 

Notable Highlights From The First Sprint Race Of 2022. 

Sprint Racing is back for the 2022 season to set up the grid for Sunday’s race. Defending Formula 1 Champion Max Verstappen was on pole. Lost the lead in the first turn as Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari took the lead.  Zhou Guanyu ran into trouble first by being the first driver off the track by having contact with Pierre Gasly Alpha Tauri. As Charles Leclerc dominated the Sprint Race. With the closing stages of the sprint race, Max Verstappen was able to catch him for the lead. Setting Max Verstappen on the pole for Sunday’s race.

Sunday’s Formula 1 Race

When the five lights went off, Max Verstappen led the field under rain conditions. Daniel Riccardo’s McLearn and Carlos Sainz Ferrari made contact in Variante Tamburello Chicane. The outcome of that racing incident earned Carlos Sainz his second DNF this season. Daniel Riccardo was able to continue the race but was out in the points. When the race restarted, Fernando Alonso 'Alpine right side pod flew off causing Alonso to retire from the race. Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes season continued to struggle as he was stuck in 13th, out in the points, battling between Pierre Gasly Alpha Tauri and Alex Albon’s Williams. The spotlight of the race shined in Red Bull’s hands as Max Verstappen dominated the race followed by his teammate Sergio Perez.  The biggest moment of the race was when Charles Leclerc pitted for the soft compound tyre to catch Sergio Perez Red Bull for second. On lap 53 in Variante Alta, Leclerc Ferrari hit the sausage crub spinning out his Ferrari. Losing a podium position. Lando Norris Mclearn took third place from Charles Leclerc. As Max Verstappen dominated the race, earning his second victory of the 2022 season followed by another podium for Sergio Perez as it was double podium for Red Bull.  Lando Norris who passed Charles Leclerc for third on lap 53 earned his first podium of the 2022 Season. Charles Leclerc still leads the drivers championship point standings, however the gap has narrowed down since Max Verstappen’s win at Imola. Ferrari still leads the constructors championship but Red Bull narrowed down that gap as well. The next Formula 1 takes place at Miami for the first time. 

Race Results

1. Max Verstappen

2. Sergio Perez

3. Lando Norris 

4. George Russell

5. Valtteri Bottas 

6. Charles Leclerc

7. Yuki Tusnoda

8. Sebastian Vettel

9. Kevin Magnussen

10. Lance Stroll

11. Alex Albon

12. Pierre Gasly

13. Lewis Hamilton 

14. Esteban Ocon

15. Zhou Guanyu

16. Nicholas Latifi

17. Mick Schumacher

18. Daniel Riccardo

19. Fernando Alonso

20. Carlos Sainz

Constructors Point Standings 

1. Ferrari 124

2. Red Bull 113 

3. Mercedes 77 

4. Mclearn 46

5. Alfa Romeo 25

6. Alpine 22

7. AlphaTauri 16

8. HAAS 15

9. Aston Martin 5

10. Williams 1

Drivers Point Standings

1. Charles Leclerc 86

2. Max Verstappen 59

3. Sergio Perez 54

4. George Russell 49

5. Carlos Sainz 38

6. Lando Norris 35

7. Lewis Hamilton 28

8. Valtteri Bottas 24

9. Esteban Ocan 20

10. Kevin Magnussen 15

11. Daniel Riccardo 11

12. Yuki Tusnoda 10

13. Pierre Gasly 6

14. Sebastian Vettel 4

15. Fernando Alonso 2

16. Zhou Guanyu 1

17. Alex Albon 1

18. Lance Stroll 1

19. Mick Schumacker 0

20. Nicholas Latifi 0