At the very place of his controversial coronation in 2021, the double world champion, whose 2022 season was more of a walk in the park, responded to his vice-champion, Lewis Hamilton, who had dominated the first session on Friday.

So, Hamilton-Verstappen at Yas Marina, season 2?

Will the Briton take his revenge to win his first Grand Prix this season, in extremis?

Or will the Dutchman, already winner 14 times, a record, again ride on his competitors?

In addition to saving the honor, Hamilton could afford a longevity record: he would be the only driver to have won once or more in 16 seasons in a row, more than Michael Schumacher (15).

"The first session went well, the second was more mixed, we struggled a little more, but we remain quite competitive," said Hamilton, who however believes that the Emirati circuit is more cut out for the Red Bulls.

The Abu Dhabi circuit is not one of the most popular tracks for drivers, lacking spice and overtaking opportunities.

Since 2009, the GP has had the originality of starting during the day and ending at night.

Mercedes leads the list with six victories, against five for Red Bull, one for McLaren and one for Lotus-Renault.

Former Mercedes preserve from 2014 to 2019, the 2020 edition had nevertheless marked the beginning of the end of the domination of the Silver Arrows.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen blows the world championship title to his Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton at Yas Marina, December 12, 2021 Giuseppe CACACE AFP / Archives

Even if Hamilton had won his seventh title, again equaling Schumacher, Verstappen had then won.

As a taste of their all-out battle in 2021. The tide then completely turned in favor of Red Bull, who best navigated the corner of the new 2022 technical regulations.

Leclerc or Pérez behind Verstappen?

It was only in Brazil last Sunday, thanks to its rookie George Russell (2nd time on Friday), that Mercedes has just signed its very first victory in 2022, after 21 races out of 22. It now threatens Ferrari's second place in the world. .

For Ferrari, which has a 19-point lead, the objective is to save this place among the manufacturers.

And that of 2nd among the drivers for Charles Leclerc (3rd time on Friday), who is tied with Sergio Pérez (5th time behind Hamilton) of Red Bull with 290 points.

The bull stable can, for the first time, sign a double in the championship.

The Ferrari of Monegasque Charles Leclerc during the first free practice of the Abu Dhabi GP at Yas Marina, November 18, 2022 Ben Stansall AFP

Ultra-dominant on the track, the team nevertheless ended the year on the sly, cornered by extra-sporting affairs.

Guilty of exceeding the 2021 budget cap, Red Bull was fined seven million dollars and a 10% reduction in wind tunnel development time.

Then, in Brazil, it was his pilots who lost their way.

On the final lap, Verstappen refused his team's order to let Pérez through to sixth place, which would have put the Mexican ahead of Leclerc in the championship.

He said he did this in retaliation for "something that happened earlier in the season".

According to the specialized press, the Dutchman believes that Pérez purposely had an accident in Monaco at the end of qualifying, preventing Verstappen from finishing his lap and forcing him to start behind him.

In the end, Pérez had won and Verstappen finished 3rd.

Red Bull drivers Sergio Pérez and Max Verstappen in front of their team in Abu Dhabi, November 17, 2022 Ben Stansall AFP

On Thursday, Pérez dismissed these "speculations".

Hot in Sao Paulo, he had not minced his words: "it shows who he really is".

The two, however, calmed things down, with the Dutchman indicating that he would help his colleague, if the opportunity arises on Sunday.

There is no more.

© 2022 AFP