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Leclerc and Perez enter F1’s 2022 season finale on the same points, so whoever scores the most points in Sunday’s race will sit behind the sovereign world champion Max Verstappen.
For all the world titles, it will be the first in Red Bull Racing’s history to finish 1-2 in the drivers’ standings, and it will be the best result in Red Bull’s history. ferrari driver because Sebastian Vettel 2018.
The race for second came into focus at last weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with Verstappen refusing to let Perez move past sixth due to an undisclosed disagreement between the two earlier in the season.
After the race, talks were held between the two drivers and Red Bull management, with Verstappen promising to help his Mexican team-mate in Abu Dhabi if needed.
The topic hasn’t caused any friction on Ferrari’s part, with Sainz announcing on Saturday that he would be happy to help Leclerc if Ferrari invited him.
“I think if Charles needs it, I’ll help him, but I think he needs to beat Checo in the championship first,” Sainz said.
“I’m going to focus on my own race and try to finish the season on the podium, but if the team asks me to let him pass or help him fight Checo, I will do so.
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari F1-75
Photography: Carl Bingham/ motorsport pictures
“We need to play on time and see where everybody is at what time. I’ve never had a problem letting anybody pass against any teammate.
“I don’t think it’s an issue for me, I’m just going to focus on finishing the season strong.
“Today I was very good in qualifying, I was very fast, so I should be very fast in the race tomorrow.”
Sainz believes Leclerc’s challenge for second will be tough as Red Bull proved the field in qualifying, where Perez finished behind pole-sitter Verstappen. , one place ahead of Leclerc.
The Spaniard added: “There aren’t many corners on this track now, so three tenths less than Red Bull, and I think they dominated the whole weekend.”
“They were a big step ahead of us in every race. We did get closer in qualifying but they still had the upper hand and that usually means in the race they should be faster.
“In the game we will try to beat them, but our game and our focus is also on mercedes benz. Mercedes is usually faster in the races, so I think it will be an interesting race. “
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