Carlos Sainz at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Carlos Sainz's 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix performance saw him maintain his grid position, securing crucial points for Scuderia Ferrari while demonstrating consistent pace in the season's final race. Starting from the fourth spot on the grid, Sainz navigated the Yas Marina Circuit over 58 laps, crossing the finish line in fourth place with a total race time of 1:28:10.806. This result contributed 12 points to his championship tally, elevating his standing from sixth to fifth overall by the close of the season. Throughout the race, Sainz showcased strong lap times, recording his fastest lap on lap 50 at 1:28.879, which ranked as the third quickest overall for the event. This measured drive, where he held his starting position, contrasted with the more dynamic races of the season, such as when [Carlos Sainz at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix](/results/2021-spa-francorchamps-carlos-sainz) faced challenging conditions. The Scuderia Ferrari team's strategy ensured both cars finished high, with teammate Charles Leclerc securing second place, just ahead of Red Bull's Sergio Pérez, a performance for Ferrari reminiscent of when [Charles Leclerc at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix](/results/2021-hungaroring-charles-leclerc) also delivered a strong result for the team. This double points finish was vital for the team's Constructors' Championship standing, and this strong showing at the Yas Marina Circuit underscored the team's efforts to maximize their performance in the final round of the [Formula 1 — official site](https://www.formula1.com/en) season.

The Spanish driver's ability to hold his ground against formidable competition, including the dominant race winner Max Verstappen, who started from pole, underscored his consistent development over the 2022 season. While Verstappen led the field, and battles like that seen with [Max Verstappen at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix](/results/2021-hungaroring-max-verstappen) often involve aggressive overtakes, Sainz focused on maximizing his car's potential within his race window and managing the strategic elements. His race pace, particularly evident in his third-ranked fastest lap, indicates effective tire management and car setup, critical aspects of modern F1 racing as detailed on [Wikipedia: Formula One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_One). The final race of the season often carries significant weight, not just for championship positions but also for setting momentum for the following year. For Sainz, securing a solid fourth place, just behind the Red Bulls and his teammate, demonstrated reliability and speed when it mattered. The comprehensive data from this event, along with historical race results, is often meticulously compiled by resources like [Jolpica/Ergast — 2026 season data](https://api.jolpi.ca/ergast/f1/2026.json), providing a clear statistical picture of individual and team performance metrics. This consistent points haul at the season finale was a fitting conclusion to a year that saw Sainz contribute significantly to Ferrari's campaign, securing a strong personal finish in the drivers' standings and solidifying his position within the top five.