Five times F1 drivers out-performed their midfield machinery in 2022

While most of the attention is on the front of the F1 field, there were a number of outstanding performances from drivers in midfield machinery. Here are five of the best from 2022.
Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren celebrates his third position in parc ferme. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 4, Emilia Romagna
Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren celebrates his third position in parc ferme. Formula 1 World…

168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Alex Albon - Australia

Alex Albon’s 2022 Australian Grand Prix will be remembered for his i🔯ncredibly long st💫int on the hard tyres at the start of the race.

Driving the slowest car on the grid, Albon went 57 laps to go from the back of the grid to finish 10th - picking up W✅illiams’ first point of the year.

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How did it happen?

Albon dropped to the back of the grid after he was excluded fro✅m qualifying for failing to provide a fuel sample.

Running long on the hards, Albon made his way into the points, but even with a Virtual Safety Car thanks to 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Max Verstappen’s stricken Red Bul꧒l, Willia🤡ms didn’t decide to stop him.

Albon’s pace was fantastic when in clear air, managing to pull away from168澳洲5最新开奖结果: Esteban Ocon behind.

Alexander Albon (THA) Williams Racing FW44. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 3, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park,
Alexander Albon (THA) Williams Racing FW44. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 3, Australian…

He ultimately stopped with one lap to go for softs, rejoining just ahead of 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Zhou Guanyu for 10th and the final point.

“We looked at 🦩our race predictions and we looked a bit sad," Albon said. "It was a race where we took risks, because we felt like no matter what we did we were going to finish 19th or 20th.

“We went into the race starting our race, taking a bit of time to build the tyres up into a nice ꧑window, and when you start last you can afford to do that.”

168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Lando Norris - Imola

Lando Norris was the only midfield d♕river to finish on the podium during the entirety of the 2022 season.

Whenever it is wet or changeable cond🌱itions, Norris is always a contender, even in subpar machinery.

A strong qualifyiꦗ♑ng and sprint race allowed Norris to qualify fifth on the grid.

He quickly moved up to third, before running in♉ fourth for the majority of the race.

Enrico Balbo, Red Bull Racing Head of Aerodynamics with 1st place Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB18, 2nd place
Enrico Balbo, Red Bull Racing Head of Aerodynamics with 1st place Max Verstappen (NLD) Red…

Charles Leclerc’s spin at Variante Alta chasing 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Sergio Perez for second, promoted Norris onto the podium.

Norris had 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:George Russell and 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Valtteri Bottas chasing him down in the closing laps, with the latter recovering from a﷽ slow pit stop to finish fifth.

McLaren didn’t have the third, or probably fourth-best car on the day, but Norris ma꧟de theꦬ most of it.

168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Pierre Gasly - Azerbaijan 

There ꦦw🗹ere few highs for Pierre Gasly in his final year with AlphaTauri, however, the 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix was one.

Gasly qualified a superb sixth, splitting the two Mer🐬🌺cedes drivers.

On race day, Gasly maintained sixth over 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Lewis Hamilton, opting to pit under the Virtual Safety Car.

He moved up to fourth, gaining two places due to the two 𝄹Ferrari retirements.

Pierre Gasly (FRA) AlphaTauri AT03. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 8, Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku Street Circuit,
Pierre Gasly (FRA) AlphaTauri AT03. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 8, Azerbaijan Grand Prix,…

AlphaTauri didn’t💯 stop Gasly again at the second VSC, al♐lowing Hamilton to overtake him in the closing laps.

“We knew we would get a chance to do well after seeing our pace in Monaco,” Gasly said. “To be fighting with Lewis probably not, so I would say it was slightly better than we 𝕴expected.

“I’m really pleased because we did no mistakes all weekend. We showed reaꦗlly good speed in practice, we managed to translate it into a good qualifying position. And today was good.”

168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Esteban Ocon - Japan

Ocon’s finest weekend of the year came at Suzuka.

The Frenchman managed to out-qu𓆉alify and oꦚut-race both Mercedes drivers on merit.

His mettle was ꦇput to the test as he defended masterly from Hamilton for most of Sunday’s shortened grand prix.

Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A522. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Race
Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A522. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18, Japanese Grand…

It was his and Alpine’s ✃best✅ result of the year with fourth.

"To finish fourth is a fantas🎃tic result for us, especially in these conditions," Ocon said after the race.

"It was a difficult start with the rain and poor ꧑visibility, so we had to be fully focused to get through the early stages. I'm glad we managed to race and reward the fans who have been so good in their support all weekend."

168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Kevin Magnussen - Brazil 

♏Kevin Magnussen’s Sao Paulo weekend will go down as one of the most memorable momentsꦓ of the season.

While his Sunday didn’t go to plan, the Dane deserves a spot on this list for𒈔 his incredible display in qualifying.

Magnussen claimed a shock pole position at Interlagos, se✤curing his and Haas’ maiden qualifying win.

Start of the race, Kevin Magnussen (DEN) Haas F1 Team Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 21, Brazilian Grand Prix, Sao
Start of the race, Kevin Magnussen (DEN) Haas F1 Team Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 21,…

He ♔went quickest of anyone during the only dry laps in Q3 before the session was suspended when Russell beached his Mercedes in the gravel. 

Rain started to fall while the red flag was out, preventing Magnu🅺ssen’s rivals from improving when the session restarted with eight minutes left on the clock, enabling hiౠm to secure a sensational pole. 

Magnussen would drop down to eighth in the sprint, before being punted out by 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Daniel Ricciardo in the grand prix.

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