Season snapshot · 2022
Source: Jolpica F1 API- WDC finish
- P4
- Wins
- 1
- Podiums
- 8
- Points
- 275
- DNFs
- 1
- Constructor
- Mercedes AMG F1
Race-by-race
| Race | Grid | Finish | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bahrain | P9 | P4 | 12 |
| Saudi Arabian | P6 | P5 | 10 |
| Australian | P6 | P3 | 15 |
| Emilia Romagna | P11 | P4 | 12 |
| Miami | P12 | P5 | 10 |
| Spanish | P4 | P3 | 15 |
| Monaco | P6 | P5 | 10 |
| Azerbaijan | P5 | P3 | 15 |
| Canadian | P8 | P4 | 12 |
| British | P8 | Collision | 0 |
| Austrian | P4 | P4 | 12 |
| French | P6 | P3 | 15 |
| Hungarian | P1 | P3 | 15 |
| Belgian | P5 | P4 | 12 |
| Dutch | P6 | P2 | 18 |
| Italian | P2 | P3 | 15 |
| Singapore | Pit | P14 | 0 |
| Japanese | P8 | P8 | 4 |
| United States | P4 | P5 | 11 |
| Mexican | P2 | P4 | 13 |
| São Paulo | P1 | P1 | 26 |
| Abu Dhabi | P6 | P5 | 10 |
George Russell's inaugural season with Mercedes in 2022 established him as a consistent points scorer and a race winner, navigating the team's challenging W13 chassis to a fourth-place finish in the Drivers' Championship.
Going in
George Russell's entry into Mercedes AMG F1 for the 2022 season marked a significant career step, transitioning from Williams, where he had consistently demonstrated his talent in less competitive machinery. The 2022 season also introduced a radical shift in technical regulations, ushering in the ground-effect era with new chassis designs, 18-inch wheels, and simplified aerodynamics, all aimed at improving racing. This presented a dual challenge for Russell: adapting to a top-tier team environment alongside a multi-time world champion, and simultaneously grappling with an entirely new car concept. Expectations were high, but the performance of the new W13 chassis was an unknown, with many teams anticipating a steep learning curve under the new Formula 1 technical regulations. The broader context of these changes and their historical impact on the sport can be explored on Wikipedia: Formula One.
How it played out
The W13 proved to be a challenging car from the outset, particularly with its propensity for "porpoising" – a high-frequency aerodynamic bouncing. Despite these initial difficulties, Russell's 2022 campaign was defined by remarkable consistency. He finished in the points in 21 of the 22 races, with his only DNF occurring at the British Grand Prix due to a first-lap collision. Russell secured 8 podium finishes throughout the season, including a notable third place at the Australian Grand Prix, his first with Mercedes. His consistent performances placed him fourth in the Drivers' Championship with 275 points, making him the highest-placed Mercedes driver in the standings. This consistency was a hallmark of his season, often maximizing the car's potential even when it was not a front-runner. For context on other drivers navigating the 2022 regulations, one might look at Nico Hülkenberg's 2022 season, which also involved adapting to the new era.