Misfortune for Opponents Hands Vettel Second Victory of 2022

Qualifying:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Q1	Q2	Diff.
1	57	Dean Stoneman		1:17.802	1:17.843
2	94	Pascal Wehrlein		1:18.111	1:18.096	+0.294
3	1	Artem Markelov		1:20.846	1:19.880	+2.044
4	39	Sho Tsuboi		1:20.757	1:20.175	+2.373
5	29	Roger Ibe		1:20.303	1:20.302	+2.500
6	33	Max Verstappen		1:20.532	1:20.348	+2.546
7	37	Victoria Desai		1:20.387	1:20.521	+2.585
8	70	Pastor Maldonado		1:20.649	1:20.419	+2.617
9	23	Alexander Albon		1:20.514	1:20.425	+2.623
10	77	Valtteri Bottas		1:20.708	1:20.508	+2.706
11	20	Kevin Magnussen		1:20.514	1:20.636	+2.712
12	18	Sebastian Vettel		1:20.599	1:20.801	+2.797
13	4	Robin Frijns		1:20.714	1:20.688	+2.886
14	47	Lando Norris		1:20.919	1:20.717	+2.915
15	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		1:20.849	1:20.746	+3.039
16	26	Robert Shwartzman		1:20.882	1:21.174	+3.080
17	31	Esteban Ocon		1:22.501	1:21.971	+4.169
18	11	Terry Hawkin		1:22.508	1:22.380	+4.578
19	23	Jules Bianchi		1:22.745	1:22.514	+4.712
20	95	Beitske Visser		1:23.394	1:22.559	+4.757
21	56	Einar Ármannsson		1:22.683	1:22.766	+4.881
22	46	Alessandro Cicognani		1:23.791	1:23.218	+5.416
23	7	Charles Leclerc		1:25.931	1:24.342	+6.540
24	84	Jack Aitken		1:25.129	1:24.754	+6.952

Report:

The new generation of hydrogen fuel cells have turned an old adage very relevant: to finish first, first you have to finish. This year’s French Grand Prix demonstrated that situation very much, as a few drivers could tell.

After he jumped the Precisions at the start, Artem Markelov managed to build a healthy lead and was looking good for the first victory of his title defense. Regrettably, his car abandoned him and his suspension broke.

Pastor Maldonado joined him in the club of drivers that retired from the race. Much to the chagrin of team manager Jacques Villeneuve, the Ferrari-supplied universal transmission of the car failed after the halfway point.

Sebastian Vettel was able to inherit the Grand Prix victory, finishing just over five seconds ahead of championship rival Victoria Desai. The two drivers are now the equivalent of a win ahead of third-placed Norris.

Race:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Time/Retired	Points
1	18	Sebastian Vettel		60:57.637	15
2	37	Victoria Desai		+5.214	12
3	29	Roger Ibe		+10.047	10
4	33	Max Verstappen		+24.549	8
5	47	Lando Norris		+35.199	6
6	39	Sho Tsuboi		+48.222	5
7	14	Esteban Ocon		+69.054	4
8	11	Terry Hawkin		+86.919	3
9	57	Dean Stoneman		+87.995	2
10	95	Beitske Visser		1 Lap	1
11	23	Jules Bianchi		1 Lap
12	7	Charles Leclerc		1 Lap
13	4	Robin Frijns		2 Laps
14	46	Alessandro Cicognani		2 Laps
15	85	Jack Aitken		2 Laps
16	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		2 Laps
DNF	77	Valtteri Bottas		Water Leak
DNF	20	Kevin Magnussen		Water Leak
DNF	70	Pastor Maldonado		Transmission
DNF	94	Pascal Wehrlein		Motor
DNF	1	Artem Markelov		Suspension
DNF	26	Robert Shwartzman		Transmission
DNF	56	Einar Ármannsson		Motor
DNF	23	Alexander Albon		Suspension

Fastest Lap:

Roger Ibe – 1:24.896

Infinite Improbability Drive Of The Race:

Beitske Visser – very good driving allowed her to pick up a point.

Reject Of The Race:

Toyota – having both cars drop out within seconds is poor marketing for any manufacturer.