Sparky Red Bull RB18 VS Merdedes AMG PERTONAS F1 W13 – Formula 1 2022 FEATURETTE
On another level!
As close as the 2021 season was between the two top favourites in Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, with more or less fair means and "special" circumstances, the situation in 2022 was much more clear-cut. 15 wins for Verstappen, 17 wins in total for Redbull with the two victories of Sergio Perez, compared to just one Formula 1 win for George Russel in the Mercedes AMG. The seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton finished the 2022 season completely empty-handed.
Tops and Flops of the 2022 Season
While the RB18 was considered very strong from the start, the team suffered a number of retirements in the first half of the race calendar, which minimized Red Bull's title chances. Ferrari in particular were able to benefit at this point, and for the first time since the Vettel Era at Ferrari, they were able to celebrate race wins by both of their drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. The biggest disappointment were the Mercedes Silver Arrows: In recent years the dominant team par excellence, with a total of 8 Constructors' titles and 7 World Championship titles by Hamilton and Rosberg since 2014, the team was in crisis throughout the season.
At the start of the season, anticipation and expectation were huge as the Silver Arrows started with significant changes compared to the other Formula 1 teams. However, these massive changes proved to be a mistake as Hamilton and Russel constantely bounced around the track due to massive purposing instead of setting some fast laps. The Mercedes factory team improved throughout the season, but there was no way around the ultra-strong RB18s of Perez and Verstappen. The team, drivers and car from Red Bull delivered a masterly performance, the likes of which have only been seen from Mercedes in recent years. Verstappen rightly became world champion for the second time at the 18th of 22 races at the Japanese GP 2022.
Praise from Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton, the big beater in the dramatic 2021 World Championship final in Abu Dhabi, also has respect for Verstappen's performance of 2022. He says he "didn't have time to study every aspect of what Max did this year". But, "He has done an amazing job. He did everything he needed to do." Hamilton underlines: "The team has given him an amazing car and he has delivered almost every weekend. He can be proud of what he has achieved. I know what it's like to be in that position."
F1 2022 for your personal collection
With the F1 W13 E Performance of George Russel and Lewis Hamilton and the Red Bull RB18 of Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen, the Spark company is the first to bring last year's Formula 1 cars to the market for 1:64 scale collectors. The Alpine A522 of Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso and the Alpha Tauri AT03 of Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda are already in production. The Sparky models inspire with a very great attention to detail, all original sponsors on the vehicle as well as a faithfully reproduced helmet design of the drivers. Even the tyres vary depending on the factory team. While Mercedes' W13 comes with red slicks, the RB18 opted for white hard tyres. The F1 cars are priced from $20 to $30 depending on the dealer and are a must for every Formula 1 fan! Toycarsaddict: Approved!