International press: 'Verstappen was superior against competition'

World champion Max Verstappen ended the 2022 season with a 15th victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, while Ferrari got the strategy right this time, helping Charles Leclerc to second place in the drivers' championship. The international media have a lot to say about Verstappen's dominant victory, which could not help his teammate Sergio Perez in the final race.

The Guardian - United Kingdom

While praising Verstappen's dominant victory, there is also hope for 2023 that the title fight does continue until the end of the season again. "Max Verstappen took the season finale win with the same dominant, inch‑perfect execution that long since secured his second championship but it was another victory that only emphasised how much the sport has missed a genuine fight at the front of the grid," reads the The Guardian.

Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, cannot wait for Tuesday, when he will drive the W13 for the last time during the Young Driver Test. The Brit crashed out in the final race of the season due to a problem with his car. "Lewis Hamilton was at the heart of it with Verstappen last year, losing out in that controversial decider at Abu Dhabi. The crushing disappointment has doubtless not been alleviated by an arduous season with an underperforming Mercedes," the British medium said.

Bild - Germany

Much is also written about the third place in the drivers' championship for Perez, who failed to overtake rival Leclerc in the closing stages of the race. Both drivers were on a different strategy. The Mexican driver, especially after the drama in Brazil, will be disappointed that he failed to live up to the first one-two in the championship ever for Red Bull Racing.

"Max Verstappen managed to maintain his leading position at the start and was superior to the competition from that point on. His teammate is likely to leave the final race frustrated, failing to secure second place. The team went for a two-stroke lead, while Leclerc only dipped into the pit lane once. Had the race lasted a few laps longer, he would certainly have overtaken Leclerc, but has to settle for third in the championship," writes the German Bild.

Gazzetta dello Sport - Italy

In Italy, the media are happy that Ferrari managed to finish the season well with second and fifth place in the drivers' championship. Carlos Sainz still managed to overtake Hamilton for the top-five position. The Italians are especially pleased that Leclerc beat rival Perez for P2. "And rightly so. The Monegasque's hard-earned second place ahead of the Mexican also validated a platonic but nevertheless important second place in the championship. Verstappen confirmed his superiority by managing the tyres at his one stop, with Leclerc never able to get near him. The Monegasque managed to pull off a small masterpiece, as according to Red Bull's calculations, Perez would have overtaken him in the final part of the race," said Gazetta dello Sport.

Marca - Spain

The Spanish Marca praises Ferrari for choosing the right strategy. It also writes about Verstappen's first place. According to the medium, the Dutchman could have passed his teammate at the first corner to secure second place in the drivers' championship.

"Verstappen wins, not letting Checo pass him again. He finishes third and loses second place in the world championship, confounded by Red Bull's strategy. As much as Ferrari has been criticised for failing strategy, in Abu Dhabi they came full circle to give Charles Leclerc second place with one stop, leaving a Checo Pérez behind. Max Verstappen also failed to let him through at Turn 1, although he could have done it perfectly when the two were almost matched."