Was The 2022 British Grand Prix The Best Race in The Modern Formula 1 Era?

The 2022 British Grand Prix at the Silverstone Circuit was an exhilarating showcase of speed, strategy, and drama. This iconic race, held on one of the most famous circuits in motorsport, delivered a thrilling spectacle that kept fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

The Build-Up

The build-up to the 2022 British Grand Prix was marked by high anticipation, with Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes all in strong contention. Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, and Lewis Hamilton were among the top contenders, each eager to secure a crucial victory in the championship race.

The Race

The 2022 British Grand Prix was notable for a dramatic and chaotic start. On the opening lap, a major collision involving multiple cars led to a red flag and a suspension of the race. Zhou Guanyu's Alfa Romeo was flipped upside down and skidded into the barriers, a terrifying incident from which he fortunately emerged unscathed with the protection of the Halo. The crash also involved George Russell, Pierre Gasly, and Alex Albon.

After a lengthy delay of a red flag as a result of this horrendous crash, the race was restarted. Carlos Sainz, who had secured pole position, led the field. Sainz and Verstappen battled intensely in the early stages, with Sainz managing to hold his position despite pressure from Verstappen.

Mid-Race Developments

Max Verstappen experienced issues with his car after making contact with debris on the track, which affected his performance and dropped him down the order. This opened up the battle for the lead between Sainz, Leclerc, and Hamilton.

A safety car period late in the race added to the drama. Ferrari opted to pit Sainz for fresh tyres, while Leclerc stayed out on older, harder and older tyres. This decision set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the race. The Ferrari pit crew instructed Sainz to maintain a 10-car gap between himself and Leclerc before the safety car restart as that is the maximum that is permitted by the FIA Regulations. Sainz's response was, "Stop inventing" and he defied the order and closed the gap between himself and Leclerc.

The Finale

In the final laps, Sainz capitalized on his fresher tyres to overtake Leclerc and reclaim the lead. Behind him, an intense battle unfolded between Leclerc, Hamilton, and Sergio Perez, who had recovered from an earlier incident. The three drivers swapped positions multiple times in a display of aggressive and skilful racing. The most notable overtake was when Hamilton passed Perez and Leclerc when Leclerc was pushed off the track. David Croft's infamous commentary, "THROUGH GOES HAMILTON" on this overtake remains to be some of the best commentary he has done so far!

Carlos Sainz held on to take his first-ever Formula 1 victory, a momentous achievement for the Spanish driver and Ferrari. Perez finished second, while Hamilton secured a podium finish in third, much to the home crowd's delight.

The Impact

The 2022 British Grand Prix was widely praised for its excitement and unpredictability. Sainz's maiden win was a popular result, and the intense on-track battles provided plenty of entertainment for the fans. In an era where almost every race was won by a Red Bull (mostly Max Verstappen), this race was the most exciting one to watch and could possibly be one of the best races of the modern era because it shows how much competition the cars would endure without the dominance of Red Bull. What are your thoughts on this?