F1: Which drivers have won the fastest lap awards in 2022?

• The most important factor in winning a Formula 1 race is speed
• In the Season’s first half, several drivers have won the fastest lap points
• And there remain only nine races for the 2022 Formula One season to end

It was agreed that starting in 2019, an extra point will be awarded to the driver who finishes a Grand Prix in the top ten, which are the places that earn fastest lap awards for the driver. This rule applies only to drivers who finish the race in one of the points-paying positions.

Who has been turning in the fastest lap awards thus far in 2022? The following individuals have been recognised as deserving of this honour:

Bahrain Grand Prix

Charles Leclerc – 1:34.570

Charles Leclerc won the DHL fastest award in Bahrain. Photo: F1

The driver of the Ferrari car had a fantastic beginning to the season, as he won the pole position, set the best lap, and won the race in Bahrain.

On the 51st lap, he recorded a time of 1:34.570, which ensured that he would leave Bahrain with the maximum possible total of 26 points.

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Charles Leclerc – 1:31.634

Leclerc was back in the game for the next round, which took place in Saudi Arabia, where he posted a lap time of 1:31.634 on the 48th lap.

After falling short in his fight with Max Verstappen in the closing stages of the race, Charles Leclerc could only manage to finish in second place despite receiving the extra point.

Australian Grand Prix

Charles Leclerc – 1:20.260

During the 2022 Australian Grand Prix, the drivers returned to a redesigned and sped-up version of Albert Park, where Leclerc was the driver setting the ultimate pace in the race. He completed the final lap at a time of 1:20.260.

Another victory, a pole position, and a record-setting lap time were all in the bag for the Ferrari driver.

Leclerc therefore won the fastest lap awards.

Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

Max Verstappen – 1:18.446

At Imola, Verstappen was finally able to find an answer to the challenge posed by Leclerc in the championship race.

It was a successful weekend for the Dutch, who could claim pole position, the sprint victory, the race victory, and the fastest lap on Lap 55 out of 63.

Miami Grand Prix

Max Verstappen – 1:31.361

Following that, Formula 1 ventured into uncharted terrain with the inaugural running of the Miami Grand Prix.

And Verstappen cemented his place in racing lore by becoming the first person to win the race and the first person to establish a new record for the fastest lap. He did this by completing Lap 54 of 57 in a time of 1:31.361.

Spanish Grand Prix

Sergio Perez – 1:24.108

Perez claimed the fastest lap of the race when he recorded a 1:24.108 on his 55th tour of the 66-lap race. This was on his 55th trip out of the total race of 66.

He crossed the finish line in second place, one spot behind his teammate Verstappen, giving Red Bull a one-two finish.

Monaco Grand Prix

Lando Norris – 1:14.693

Lando Norris.Photo:F1

Norris was the first driver from a team other than Red Bull or Ferrari to win the race for the fastest lap at the Monaco Grand Prix. This achievement was a long time coming.

On the 55th lap of a race that had to be cut short owing to earlier severe rain, the driver for McLaren established a new lap record of 1:14.693. Because Norris could complete P6, he was awarded an additional point in recognition of his accomplishment.

Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Sergio Perez – 1:46.046

Perez won in Monaco and set the quickest lap in Baku with a 1:46.046.

He set that on Lap 36 of 51, finishing second in Red Bull’s latest one-two. Only 0.004s separated the pair’s best times.

Canadian Grand Prix

Carlos Sainz 1:57.49

Sainz scored the quickest lap of the Canadian Grand Prix while chasing Verstappen.

Sainz earned an extra point with a 1:15.749 on Lap 63 of 70.

British Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton – 1:30.510

Lewis Hamilton. Photo: F1

Lewis Hamilton had many struggles in 2022, but he had enough to grin at home.

The Mercedes driver crossed the line in P3 and on the podium with the fastest lap of the race, a 1:30.510, to earn a bonus point.

Austrian Grand Prix

Max Verstappen – 1:07.275

The Dutch driver finished second at the Red Bull Ring, despite winning the pole, sprint qualifying, and the Austrian Grand Prix.

Verstappen set his third fastest lap of 2022 in Lap 62 of 71.

French Grand Prix

Carlos Sainz – 1:35.781

Sainz lapped Paul Ricard in 1:35.781 on his 51st tour.

Sainz finished fifth after a five-second time penalty for an unsafe release, so the bonus point was highly appreciated.

Hungarian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton – 1:21.386

Hamilton has won eight races at the Hungaroring, and despite not winning in 2022, he posted the quickest lap.

Hamilton scored 19 points after finishing second with a 1:21.386 on Lap 57 of 70 which sew him win the fastest lap awards.